Steve Sarkisian not ruling out potential Arch Manning twist after season

Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning. Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

Texas HC Steve Sarkisian not ruling out a potential Arch Manning twist after 2026 season

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Jun 15, 2026 1:28 PM ET

Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning is expected to declare for the NFL Draft after the 2026 season, but let's not forget he has two years of eligibility left.

Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian isn't ruling out the possibility that the QB, who's entering his junior season, uses both.

Steve Sarkisian hints Arch Manning could return for 2027 season

"You know, we haven't had that discussion, but I will tell you, I would not be surprised," Sarkisian said Monday on the "Up & Adams Show with Kay Adams." "I think Arch really loves college football, I really do. I think he loves the University of Texas, you know he does pretty good through NIL [name, image and likeness], you know, he's got some pretty good endorsements right now, which is a credit to him. And obviously, the lineage of the last name and the brand of the University of Texas, all those things coming together, but again, on the same token, I wouldn't be surprised if he declares and decides to go to the draft."

The advent of NIL has decreased pressure on players to turn pro early. On3 estimates Manning is raking in $5.4M in NIL deals, No. 1 among all college athletes in the site's database.

"I wouldn't be surprised."

Steve Sarkisian on Arch Manning potentially returning to the Longhorns after the 2026 season@heykayadams | @TexasFootball pic.twitter.com/YfLx192DEH
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) June 15, 2026

Manning is also a member of football royalty, giving him even more financial security than other prospects. His uncles, Peyton and Eli, are Super Bowl-winning QBs. His grandfather, Archie, is a former standout Ole Miss Rebels QB. The New Orleans Saints selected him with the No. 2 pick in the 1971 draft.

Arch Manning's relatives may encourage him to enjoy school. Each started three or more seasons of college football. The Texas star is entering his second year as a full-time starter in 2026.

Arch Manning, 22, may also consider the NFL success of older QB prospects when making his decision. See Denver Broncos third-year QB Bo Nix, 26, who went 24-10 as a starter in the regular season in his first two seasons.

There are many compelling reasons for Arch Manning (6-foot-4, 219 pounds) to stay for the 2027 season. However, if he helps Texas compete for a national title and is a Heisman candidate in 2026, his strong odds of being picked No. 1 in the 2027 draft will skyrocket.

"Don't underestimate the power of the Manning name. Some franchise would be thrilled to dive into that gene pool," an NFL executive told Fox Sports' Ralph Vacchiano in December 2025.

Becoming the third member of the family to be a No. 1 pick in the draft could be too good an opportunity to pass on, even if he loves campus life as much as Sarkisian says he does.

Clark Dalton

Clark 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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