Arch Manning’s name never truly leaves the national spotlight, but heading into the 2026 season, the Texas quarterback is once again being viewed as the standard at college football’s most important position, and now, as the early favorite for the sport’s most prestigious individual award.
Pro Football Sports Network (PFSN) college football analyst Ian Cummings recently labeled Manning the early 2026 Heisman Trophy favorite, placing him ahead of Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith and Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin.
Cummings made it clear that while expectations were sky-high entering 2025, patience was always required.
A Tale of Two Seasons for Manning
Manning’s first season as a full-time starter followed a familiar arc for young quarterbacks.
Early struggles led some to prematurely question whether the hype had outpaced reality. Through the first four weeks of the season, Manning eclipsed a PFSN QB Impact Grade of 70 just once, in a performance that came against Sam Houston State.
But what followed was one of the most impressive second-half surges in college football.
Over the final four weeks of the regular season, Manning recorded a PFSN QB Impact Grade above 80 three times, including in games against Vanderbilt, Arkansas, and Texas A&M. His performance against Arkansas stood out in particular, earning an elite 94.7 grade and signaling his arrival as a true difference-maker at the position.
By season’s end, Manning had thrown for 2,942 yards, 24 touchdowns, and just seven interceptions while posting a composite PFSN CFB QB Impact Grade of 83.2. He also added 244 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on the ground, showcasing the athleticism that made him such a highly coveted recruit.
Momentum Built Late and It Was No Fluke
Manning arguably finished the season as one of the hottest quarterbacks and players in the entire country.
Over Texas’ final five regular-season games, he accounted for 15 total touchdowns as both a passer and runner while throwing only two interceptions. He eclipsed 300 passing yards three times during that stretch, consistently elevating an offense that increasingly ran through him.
Texas won six of its final seven games, with the team’s surge aligning directly with Manning’s rise. While he entered 2025 as a preseason Heisman favorite, that label disappeared early. By season’s end, however, the buzz had returned, only this time, it was backed by production.
Context Matters: Manning Did More With Less
What makes Manning’s late-season performance even more impressive is the environment in which he operated.
Texas finished the year averaging just 129.7 rushing yards per game, ranking 101st nationally, an unacceptable mark for a perennial powerhouse. The offensive line struggled as well, earning a PFSN unit grade of 75.5 (60th nationally).
Despite minimal help from the ground game and inconsistent protection up front, Manning became the focal point of the Longhorns’ offense. He was forced to create, extend plays, and consistently push the ball downfield under pressure, and as the season progressed, he thrived against elite SEC competition.
The offense as a whole showed tangible growth, finishing with a PFSN Offensive Impact grade of 80.0 (37th nationally), a reflection of steady improvement rather than early-season stagnation.
Young Weapons and a Bright Future
Manning will also benefit from continuity and development among Texas’ young skill players.
Wide receiver Ryan Wingo delivered a solid, if not spectacular, season with 50 receptions for 770 yards and seven touchdowns, while Parker Livingstone emerged as a reliable red-zone threat with 26 catches for 491 yards and six scores.
With another offseason to build chemistry and cohesion, the ceiling for this group, and for Manning, rises significantly. Add in head coach Steve Sarkisian’s reputation as one of college football’s elite quarterback developers, and the outlook becomes even clearer.
A more experienced Manning, paired with expected improvements in the trenches, positions Texas for a legitimate national push.
Watch Out for Arch and Texas in 2026
The expectations that surrounded Texas entering 2025 may have been premature, but they weren’t misplaced. They were simply a year early. With momentum, maturity, and a roster poised to take a collective step forward, Arch Manning enters 2026 as the player to watch in college football.
According to Ian Cummings and PFSN, he’s not just a contender, he’s the early Heisman favorite. And the rest of the country should take notice.
