Before the start of the 2025 college football season, people wanted to crown Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning as the best quarterback in college football without a game being played. When the lights turned on in week one, he struggled big time on the road against the Ohio State Buckeyes.
After that game, his draft stock immediately dropped. He has had to gain his confidence back ever since the first game of the season. Texas has a 3-1 record this season. Manning has been better as of late, but he is currently not a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. His current draft status may cause him to go back to college next year.
NFL Scout Has Take
Bruce Feldman of the Athletic was interviewing different NFL scouts and different people from the Longhorns football program about what has gone wrong with Manning this season. One NFL scouting director said about his struggles,
“He’s talented, but he needs to get rid of what’s going on with him. I don’t know if it’s all mental, but I do know he’s dealing with a level of pressure that nobody else we’re talking about is dealing with. We just need to see a lot more of him before anybody can make a determination about him. He just really hasn’t played a lot. It’s OK to be a little bit developmental and still have high upside. You just gotta let him develop.”
During the first four games of the 2025 college football season, he has completed 61.3% of his passes for 888 yards, nine touchdowns, and three interceptions. Manning has also rushed for 123 yards on 28 carries and five touchdowns, along with averaging 4.4 yards per carry.
Texas will start SEC Conference play on the road this weekend against the Florida Gators. If he can elevate his play, then maybe he can get himself back into the NFL draft conversation. For now, the most important thing for him is to get better each and every week. Manning should not worry about the 2026 NFL Draft and focus on his development.
