Archie Manning: Grandson Arch not a guarantee for 2026 draft

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Archie Manning doesn’t expect the 2025 season to be the last rodeo for grandson Arch Manning in a Texas football uniform.

A redshirt sophomore, Arch will take the reins of the Longhorns when they open their season Aug. 30 at Ohio State, succeeding Quinn Ewers at the starter. And in an interview with Texas Monthly for a lengthy feature story on Arch, the family patriarch predicted his namesake won’t be a one-and-done starter and jump into the 2026 NFL Draft.

“Arch isn’t going to do that. He’ll be at Texas,” Archie Manning said.

Some NFL teams likely already have put Arch, 21, at the top of their draft boards. After the 2025 season, he’ll be draft-eligible.

Grandpa Archie watched as two of his sons, Peyton and Eli, were No. 1 overall draft picks. He was a No. 2 selection himself in 1971 out of Ole Miss. But with just limited appearances at Texas in a backup role to Ewers, Arch hasn’t earned all the hype yet, his grandfather said.

“People are saying he’s a Heisman candidate,” Archie said. “You’re not a Heisman Trophy candidate when you haven’t played but three games. It’s crazy.”

Arch completed 67.8 percent of his passes for 939 yards with nine touchdowns and two interceptions as he backed up Ewers last season. He added 108 yards and four touchdowns on the ground.

He also can afford to stay in school and wait for his NFL paycheck. On3 estimates Arch Manning’s name, image and likeness valuation at $6.8 million.

–Field Level Media