Arch Manning underwent a minor, preventative foot surgery this month and is expected to be ready for spring practice. Despite speculation he might declare for the NFL Draft, it is now confirmed that he will return to Texas for the 2026 season, and expectations remain high for his second season as the Longhorns’ starting quarterback.
Former CFB Head Coach Pushes Arch Manning Toward Aggressive Leadership Role
Many scouts believe Manning could have been the first QB selected if he had declared for the 2026 NFL Draft. As he prepares to lead Texas again in 2026, former UNC coach Mack Brown and ex-NFL quarterback Vince Young see a prime opportunity for him to take a leadership role this offseason.
“Last year, Arch was an unknown with his team,” Brown said in “The Stampede” podcast. “He was a first-round draft choice predicted, the Heisman predicted, but hadn’t proven it. Now he’s proven it. He had to learn to be a leader and take over because he hadn’t been the leader, because he wasn’t the guy. Now, Arch has been the guy for a year. So it’s time for Arch to become the voice. He’s got to take over and be an aggressive leader.”
Manning threw for 3,163 yards and 26 touchdowns and added 10 rushing touchdowns on 92 carries for 399 yards in the 2025 season. After early-season struggles, he bounced back phenomenally and recorded three 300-yard passing games in late October.
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Manning’s return brings stability to Texas’s quarterback position, especially with five-star recruit Dia Bell already committed. Meanwhile, Young said that Manning needs to be more vocal in his leadership.
“The best way I can say it is it starts right now,” Young said. “Like coach (Brown) just said, going into the locker rooms and even throwing the ball, getting extra routes and having your being more leading more as an example of on the field and off the field. But like you said, he’s been there for a while. This is his team now. You know, it’s time for you to be more mature and go in and say, ‘Hey, coach, I don’t like that play. I don’t want it.’ Throw it out.”
Manning’s strong performances earned him a spot on the Davey O’Brien Foundation’s Postseason Great 8, recognizing the top quarterbacks in bowl games and the College Football Playoff. This nod came after he completed 21 of 34 passes for 221 passing yards and two touchdowns against Michigan in the Citrus Bowl.
He also dominated in the ground game with 155 rushing yards and two touchdowns on just nine carries in the 41-27 win over the Wolverines.
Some analysts believe Manning still has areas to refine during his junior season before entering the NFL. He currently ranks No. 37 nationally in the PFSN College Football QB Impact Metric with a score of 83.1.
