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Before the college football season started, Arch Manning was in the conversation to go No. 1 in this year’s draft, despite only three starts under his belt.
Well, that talk quickly died down as Manning and the Longhorns struggled.
Texas and the former five-star recruit found their way late, but ultimately it wasn’t enough to earn a trip to the College Football Playoff.
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Arch Manning of the Texas Longhorns warms up before the game against the UTSA Roadrunners at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on September 14, 2024 in Austin, Texas. (Tim Warner/Getty Images)
After the season, Manning announced his intention to stay in school, but his father, Cooper, said the decision was made a long time ago.
When asked in a recent interview if Arch “always stayed in school,” the father replied, “Yes.”
“I grew up listening to my parents talk about how great college was, I still love my years in college. Eli was there for five years, Peyton was four. It’s such a fun, special time in your life. The idea of rushing and trying to get out of there seems a little silly to me,” Cooper continued.
Arch Manning (left) chats with his father, Cooper Manning, prior to the Big 12 football game between the TCU Horned Frogs and the Texas Longhorns on Nov. 12, 2022, at Darrell K Royal – Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas. (John Rivera/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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“I know how challenging the next level is. So enjoy every moment of college. If you’re lucky enough to go to the University of Texas and hang out in Austin, Texas, where people like you and get to play football and go to these great SEC cities and compete at the highest level with your teammates and with your good friends, shoot, why would anyone rush out of that?”
In all likelihood, Manning will come out of it in 2027, and he projects to be right at the top of the draft, just like his uncles.
However, one of those uncles in Eli played his hand and refused to play for the San Diego Chargers, who had the No. 1 pick. The Chargers drafted him anyway, but sent him to the New York Giants.
Could Arch do the same?
“I have no idea,” Cooper said.
Texas quarterback Arch Manning (16) warms up before an NCAA college football game against Mississippi State in Starkville, Mississippi, Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/James Pugh)
“Anything beyond spring football right now is too far away to even think about. He’s enjoying the big win over Michigan and seeing some new players come in, saying goodbye to some guys on this portal and looking forward to making some new teammates, good friends and vice versa. So we’re not looking too far into the world of football. Keep it simple and keep your head down and it should shake out alright.”
