Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning recently stepped up in his first season as the starter, taking over for Miami Dolphins quarterback Quinn Ewers. After struggling initially, Manning finished the season with over 2942Â yards and 24 touchdowns in 2025.
Additionally, after missing out on the playoffs following a heavy defeat against Georgia, Steve Sarkisian will have a top-10 2026 recruitment class to work with 2026. This includes 2 5-star prospects in Dia Bell and Jermaine Bishop, as well as nine four-stars.
Arch Manning Expectations Surge Ahead Of 2026.
During the latest episode of ‘The Herd.‘ with Colin Cowherd, national college football analyst Josh Pate appeared. During this segment, the analyst was also questioned whether he believed that Arch Manning and the Texas Longhorns were the team to beat next year.
“It’s a really important two weeks coming up in the portal to answer that question. I think they may.” Pate began. The Longhorns are set to lose lead running back Quintrevion Wisner after it was announced that he plans to enter the NCAA transfer portal.
Last year, Wisner led the Longhorns in rushing yards with 597 yards and four touchdowns. Additionally, they are also set to lose CJ Baxter, Jerrick Gibson, Parker Livingstone, and Rickey Stewart Jr after they also decided to enter the transfer portal.
“It’s College Football Playoff or bust in 2026. Texas is ready to go all in for next season and elevate the positions around Arch Manning and Colin Simmons,” a recent report from 247sports read, detailing a claim from a source close to the Texas Longhorns.
According to this report, the Longhorns are looking to elevate the offense around Manning. Some of the players who have already been linked to Texas include North Texas star RB Caleb Hawkins, who was predicted to land in Texas by PFSN analysts.
MORE:Â Texas WR Hits the Transfer Portal With Sobering Message on College Football Landscape
Last season, the North Texas running back led the nation with 23 rushing touchdowns in his true freshman season. With a PFSN Impact Grade of 89.2, Hawkins rushed for 1,236 rushing yards, added 345 receiving yards, ranking ninth nationally according to PFSN.
Additionally, the Longhorns have also been linked with Auburn wide receiver Cam Coleman by PFSN analysts. Coleman earned a 75.2 WR impact grade from PFSN analytics after recording 56 receptions for 708 yards in 2025, scoring five touchdowns.
Meanwhile, after a slow start to the season, Manning finished the season ranked 37th nationally with a PFSN’s CFB QB impact score of 83.1. After throwing for over 376 yards and four touchdowns in the Cheeze-It Citrus Bowl, the hype has already started to reemerge.
“Arch Manning had all these preseason accolades. And then he doesn’t live up to those expectations immediately. And then Texas gets written off. But then at the very end of the year, it’s like, that’s what we’re looking at,” the analyst explained, detailing further his expectations for 2026.
“It may have just been really early last year. I would say right now, they would be the favorite. Right now, Arch Manning doesn’t need to go chase NFL money. It may just be that Arch needed that time. I trust you’ll get a complete game from him next year.” Pate concluded.
With the amount of resources that the Longhorns have, as well as a top college football quarterback, Texas could potentially be looking at a playoff or bust situation next year, after narrowly missing out in 2025 following a loss to Georgia.
