Arch Manning is focused on helping his No. 1 Texas Longhorns reach the College Football Playoff, and hopefully, the national championship game this season, but many are focused on what he does at the next level of his football career.
Manning, the nephew of NFL great quarterbacks Peyton and Eli Manning, has been carrying that weight since he was in high school as a top prospect. But while there have been flashes of greatness from the Longhorns signal caller, ESPN’s latest quarterback rankings for the stacked 2027 NFL Draft have him at No. 5.
In fact, one AFC assistant general manager told the outlet that Manning seems to have created “this blind faith” due to his namesake.
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Texas quarterback Arch Manning drops back to pass against Ohio State during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
“What’s giving so many people this blind faith that there’s just this monstrous ceiling with him?” the executive questioned. “Maybe this current state is just who he really is as a prospect.”
Manning entered the 2026 college season with something to prove after what some viewed as an underwhelming 2025 campaign. He threw for 3,163 yards with 26 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 13 games.
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This season, Manning has thrown for 862 yards with seven touchdowns and three interceptions for his 4-0 Longhorns, which includes a 21-point fourth-quarter comeback against Ohio State earlier this season.
The expectations for Manning, though, coming into college were as astronomical as you may think given the quarterbacks with the same name that came before him. He hasn’t hit those high expectations on a consistent basis, but there’s still lots of football left to play.
But as NFL teams have already begun the rigorous scouting period ahead of next year’s draft in April, every throw, pre-snap check and more for Manning, and the other top quarterback prospects, mean that much more.
Texas quarterback Arch Manning (16) throws before a college football game against Vanderbilt. The game took place in Austin, Texas, on Nov. 1, 2025. (Eric Gay/AP Photo)
For now, one AFC scout told ESPN that Manning is someone a team might “fall in love with” down the road – not necessarily right now.
“He’s always be graded on a different scale because of the name,” the scout admitted. “…I don’t think he’s the best in the class, but his flashes in games are fascinating and a preview of what could happen down the road.”
We’ve seen time and time again how prospects can change their draft stock with performances throughout a season. Even the NFL Scouting Combine changes the minds of all teams watching.
But Manning is expected to be in a draft class for the ages, with top quarterbacks like Oklahoma State’s Drew Mestemaker, Miami’s Darian Mensah, Ole Miss’ Trinidad Chambliss, and Notre Dame’s CJ Carr, who were all ranked higher than him in ESPN’s latest list.
Texas quarterback Arch Manning, center, calls over the line during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Texas A&M, Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Stephen Spillman)
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Manning has opportunities to change those perceptions in the upcoming weeks, facing five straight ranked opponents after the “Red River Rivalry” game against Oklahoma on Saturday. Texas is set to face No. 16 Florida, No. 9 Ole Miss, No. 17 Mississippi State, No. 14 Missouri and No. 10 LSU, respectively.
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