Arch Manning’s Father Has Reminder for College Football Fans

Arch Manning is coming back for another season with the Texas Longhorns this fall.Will it be his last?

That has been the popular assumption, but his father told Videogamer.com not to assume anything.

“If you’re lucky enough to play college football, why in the heck would you want to do something else?” Cooper Manning said in an interview with the website. “I think they’re going to have to run him out of there.”

That might sound crazy considering the younger Manning — despite his struggles early last season — was still a candidate to be taken high in the 2026 NFL Draft this spring, but his father had a simple explanation why he’s in no hurry to turn pro.

“He loves his teammates, he loves his coaches. He loves playing at (Darrel K Royal Stadium), being in Austin, Texas,” Cooper said. “I think he’ll be sad when those days are over. Enjoy it, soak it up and cherish every moment you get to play college football. What a lucky guy.

How we got here

Arch Manning arrived in Austin three years ago as a can’t-miss prospect.

He was the top-rated recruit in the country per both 247Sports and On3.

He was also well-known thanks to his last name: Grandfather Archie and uncles Peyton and Eli were all star quarterbacks in the NFL, so expectations have been through the roof since early in Arch’s high school football career.

However, he played in only two games as a true freshman at Texas in 2023, so he technically has two more seasons of eligibility heading into 2026.

Manning was mostly a change-of-pace quarterback in ’24, though he did start two games for an injured Quinn Ewers that fall.

That set the stage for what was expected to be a breakthrough in 2025, but his redshirt sophomore season was only so-so.

After struggling in a season-opening loss to Ohio State, he did finish on a high note with four total touchdowns (two passing and two rushing) in a 41-17 Citrus Bowl victory over Michigan, but ultimately Manning finished 41st in the country in passing efficiency and 29th in yards per game.

What’s next for Manning and the Longhorns?

After Manning announced he would not enter the 2026 NFL Draft, Texas appears to be all in for the 2026 season as head coach Steve Sarkisian brought in a transfer class that includes receiver Cam Coleman, who starred at Auburn, and standout running backs Hollywood Smothers of N.C. State and Raleek Brown of Arizona State, among others.

That sets the stage for a triumphant final season in college and a prime spot int he 2027 NFL Draft, right?

Maybe not — if his father is to be believed at this point.

“That’s just a long way away,” Cooper Manning told VideoGamer about draft speculation. “Everybody’s looking to spring, getting to know some of these new teammates. That’s all fluff and hot air and nonsense.”