Arch Manning might shake up the NFL Draft with a rare decision that could keep him longer with the Longhorns

Arch Manning has big shoes to fill, and not just because of his famous last name. As the nephew of Super Bowl champions Peyton and Eli Manning, both first-round NFL picks, and the grandson of legend Archie Manning, the spotlight has followed him from day one. After spending two seasons as a backup behind now-NFL-bound Quinn Ewers, Manning finally takes over as the starting quarterback for the Texas Longhorns in 2025. It's his first full season at the helm, and the buzz around him is electric-even though he's only started two college games. The Longhorns haven't hoisted a national championship trophy since Vince Young's iconic run against USC in 2005, and the fans in Austin are itching for a return to glory.

Adding to his profile, Manning currently boasts the NCAA's highest NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) valuation at $6.5 million, surpassing Duke's Cooper Flagg-likely National Player of the Year and the projected top pick in the next NBA draft-and Carson Beck, who recently transferred to Miami after an injury derailed his draft plans. Beck will take the place of the very likely first overall pick in this NFL Draft, Cam Ward.

Manning Might Not Leave Texas Soon

Just as NFL teams started circling 2026 as the year to snag Manning, ESPN's Adam Schefter threw a curveball. He's not so sure Manning will make the jump to the pros after next season. "There's no guarantee that Arch Manning is coming out after next year," Schefter said on Get Up. "It sounds like he could stay beyond that. None of the Mannings ever left college early, and with NIL money being what it is, why would Arch rush?" This isn't just idle chatter - it's a nod to a family tradition of staying in college, from Peyton and Eli to Cooper Manning. Schefter's take has NFL front offices buzzing, especially those already dreaming of tanking for the Texas star in 2026. For now, it's all speculation, but it's clear that Manning's future isn't as locked in as some might think.

This upcoming season is a make-or-break moment for Manning and Texas. The Longhorns are coming off two solid seasons (25-5), but still fell short of the ultimate prize. Now, with Manning under center, there's hope that he can deliver a national title and maybe even snag Texas' third Heisman Trophy, joining Earl Campbell (1977) and Ricky Williams (1998) in the history books.

The road ahead is brutal, Texas opens against defending national champion Ohio State, with later trips to Florida and Georgia, a team that's beaten them twice recently. Manning has shown promise in limited action, posting 939 passing yards, 9 touchdowns and a 67.8% completion rate in 10 games last year, most as backup. But with key losses in offensive linemen and playmakers Jaden Blue and Gunnar Helm, he'll need to step up to the plate as the full-time starter.

Why Manning Might Stick Around in Austin

So what could keep Manning at Texas beyond 2026? For one, the lure of a national championship could be a big factor. If the Longhorns don't seal the deal this season, he might want another shot at bringing a title back to Austin-a feat that has eluded them for two decades. Then there's the money. With an NIL valuation already at $6.5 million, Manning's earning power will skyrocket once the season begins. As the player with the highest NIL in the short history of this era, those numbers will only go up.

Perhaps the biggest reason for him to stay, though, is if things don't go perfectly - say, a national championship slips away, an injury strikes, or he has a rough year. Why risk the NFL when he's already making money and honing his game in college? Another season could also solidify his draft stock, giving him more control over his pro future.