Texas quarterback Arch Manning is once again receiving preseason Heisman Trophy hype ahead of his second year as a starter for the Longhorns. In 2025, Manning was the clear favorite for the Heisman, but the Longhorns’ offensive struggles hurt his chances of winning the prestigious accolade, which Fernando Mendoza eventually claimed.
Several talented quarterbacks returned to college football for the 2026 season, and Manning will face stiff competition for the Heisman Trophy.
Urban Meyer Addresses Arch Manning Pressure
During Monday’s (March 16) segment of the “Triple Option” podcast, former Florida Gators coach Urban Meyer addressed the pressure that Manning faces to succeed at Texas, while detailing how former Heisman-winning quarterback Tim Tebow thrived despite the spotlight on him.
“I actually coached someone who had more pressure on him than Arch Manning. His name was Tim Tebow,” Meyer said.
“He won the Heisman as a sophomore and as a freshman was a backup, played a bunch in the national title. Junior year, won the national championship. He was the golden child, and his senior year was unbelievable.”
He added, “Unmerciful the amount of press, and at times negative press if he didn’t have a great game. ‘He’ll never make it in the NFL, etc.’ Tough day in the city for Arch Manning, your last name is Manning, you’re at Texas, and you have to play well. I actually thought he played well down the stretch. He’s right on schedule. He’s gonna have a great year.”
Manning has been in the spotlight throughout his college football career due to his famous last name. The Texas quarterback is the son of Cooper Manning, the grandson of NFL legend Archie Manning, and the nephew of Eli and Peyton Manning, dramatically heightening expectations to live up to the legacy set by his family over the years.
Manning Linked to Dramatic Draft Action
During a recent segment of the “Mike Francesa” podcast, NFL insider Mike Francesa linked Manning to a dramatic refusal to be selected by the New York Jets during the 2027 NFL Draft should they hold the No. 1 pick.
“I’ll tell you this, Jet fans. I hate to give you this a year in advance, and it will probably make you hate the Mannings more if you’re a Jet fan and you hate the Mannings already, because remember, Peyton didn’t want to play for the Jets,” Francesa said.
“They will not let Arch Manning play for the Jets,” Francesa declared. “I’m telling you right now, they will manipulate the draft; they will never let him get drafted by the Jets. You can take that to the bank.”
After a storied career with the Ole Miss Rebels, Eli Manning famously refused to play for the San Diego Chargers, who selected him No. 1 overall in the 2004 NFL Draft and promptly traded him to the New York Giants.
When the Jets held the No. 1 pick before the 1997 draft, Peyton Manning returned to Tennessee for his senior year. He was selected No. 1 overall by the Indianapolis Colts in the 1998 draft.
