Sarkisian discusses Manning's potential NFL Draft decision

Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning. Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Texas HC Steve Sarkisian discusses Arch Manning's potential NFL Draft decision

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Jul 15, 2025 3:34 PM ET

Quarterback Arch Manning threw just 95 passes in his first two seasons with the Texas Longhorns but is already billed as a potential No. 1 pick.

As of Tuesday, FanDuel Sportsbook gives Manning (+230) the best odds to go No. 1 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft, ahead of LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier (+360).

At SEC media days in Atlanta, Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian didn't say he expects Manning to enter the draft but didn't rule out the possibility.

"I just want the guy to have a really good season this year, and we'll cross that bridge when he comes to it," the coach said Tuesday, via ESPN's Pete Thamel. "I hope he has a really hard decision to make because that means he's played really good."

Steve Sarkisian on how long he expects Arch Manning in Austin: "I just want the guy to have a really good season this year, and we’ll cross that bridge when he comes to it. I hope he has a really hard decision to make, because that means he played really good."
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) July 15, 2025

ESPN's Jordan Reid doesn't anticipate the 21-year-old QB declaring for the draft, scheduled April 23-25 in Pittsburgh.

"He will be under the tutelage of one of the country's best QB developers in Steve Sarkisian, but Manning's lack of experience makes him more likely to be in the 2027 draft class at the earliest," wrote Reid in his preseason scouting report for QBs.

History also suggests Manning (6-foot-4, 225 pounds) should stay in school, even if he thrives in his first season as a full-time starter.

Former North Carolina Tar Heels QB Mitchell Trubisky declared for the 2017 draft after throwing 30 touchdown passes in 13 games in one season as the Tar Heels starting QB. That hasn't worked out.

Trubisky — who the Chicago Bears selected No. 2 overall — went 29-21 in the regular season in four seasons with the team but posted a below-average 87.2 passer rating. After going 2-5 in two seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, he has since served as a backup for Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen.

Teams may be willing to ignore that, however, because of Manning's pedigree. His uncles, former NFL QBs Peyton and Eli Manning, combined for four Super Bowl victories during their careers. Additionally, the New Orleans Saints selected his grandfather, ex-Ole Miss Rebels QB Archie Manning, with the No. 2 pick in the 1971 draft.

Arch Manning and Co. face the Ohio State Buckeyes on the road in Week 1 on Aug. 30. If the Longhorns beat the defending national champions, that could prove the hype is warranted, sparking more debates about whether the QB will be pro-ready after one year of college.

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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