Texas hasn’t announced any official plans for Arch Manning as their starting quarterback, but NFL teams are already watching the sophomore closely. The Longhorns signal caller has become one of college football’s most talked-about players despite having just two career starts.
Manning’s combination of his football legacy and Texas’s status as a College Football Playoff contender has created massive expectations heading into 2025.
Most early 2026 NFL Draft projections have Manning going No. 1 overall. Many mock drafts connect him to the New Orleans Saints, which would bring the Manning family full circle to where his grandfather Archie played.
But Pro Football Network sees things differently in their latest mock draft.
PFN has Manning falling to No. 9 overall to the Las Vegas Raiders. The projection assumes he declares early after his junior season.
“Geno Smith gives the Las Vegas Raiders a huge upgrade at quarterback for the 2025 season, but he turns 35 in October and has a potential out after 2026,” PFN wrote. “That’s the perfect opportunity to draft a quarterback early next year and have him sit for a year or two behind Smith.”
Smith signed a two-year, $75 million contract with Las Vegas after his trade from Seattle this offseason.
The Raiders scenario would give Manning time to develop behind a veteran quarterback. But seeing him drop to ninth overall would be surprising given his pedigree and the attention he’s generated.
PFN’s evaluation noted Manning still needs work on his footwork and pocket awareness under pressure. They praised his athleticism, field vision, and arm strength as NFL-ready tools.
If Manning declares for the 2026 draft, it would likely signal Texas had a successful season under his leadership.
Bruce Feldman told The Rich Eisen Show that Manning leaving early would mean good things for the program.
“(Leaving for the NFL) would be a great thing for Texas because that means he probably won the national title,” Feldman said. “They would be my preseason pick to win the national title. They’ve done really well in the portal and everyone I trust inside Texas has been glowing about Arch.”
Texas has been active in the transfer portal and added talent around Manning for the upcoming season.
Not everyone expects Manning to declare early for the NFL. Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer believes the quarterback might stay in college until 2027 or 2028 before entering the draft.
Manning’s decision will likely depend on how the 2025 season unfolds and whether Texas can make a serious run at a national championship with him as the starter.
