Earlier than the 2026 season has seen a single snap, it is a typically held perception that Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning will likely be a prime decide within the 2027 NFL Draft. Nevertheless, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian thinks there’s a likelihood that Manning returns to Texas in 2027.
“You understand, we have not had that dialogue, however I’ll inform you, I might not be stunned [if he returns to Texas],” Sarkisian said on Up & Adams. “I believe Arch actually loves school soccer, I actually do. I believe he loves the College of Texas, he does fairly good by NIL [name, image and likeness], , he is received some fairly good endorsements proper now, which is a credit score to him. And clearly, the lineage of the final title and the model of the College of Texas, all these issues coming collectively, however once more, on the identical token, I would not be stunned if he declares and decides to go to the draft.”
Manning landed at Texas within the Class of 2023 as a five-star recruit and the top-ranked quarterback within the cycle. Since then, he spent two seasons largely as a backup earlier than turning into the starter in 2025.
In his one season as a starter, Manning accomplished 61.4% of his passes for 3,163 yards and 26 touchdowns. He additionally rushed for 399 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Arch Manning returning to Texas may very well be unhealthy for Steve Sarkisian
On the floor, Manning returning to Texas can be good for Sarkisian. Nevertheless, digging deeper into it, there’s cause to be involved about what that may imply for Sarkisian.
Manning went to Texas, largely, due to Sarkisian. Over time, he developed a popularity as a quarterback whisperer and developer. The plan was that he can be the one who made Manning an NFL-ready quarterback.
Even with NIL and cash coming in to Manning at Texas, it would not examine to the top-of-the-line cash NFL rookies could make. In 2025, On3 (h/t The Sporting News) estimated he is making about $6.8 million at Texas. That is lower than Manning can be making as a top-seven pick.
On prime of that, yearly a participant waits to get to the NFL, it takes them longer to get to their second skilled contract. That is the place the actual cash is. So, Manning not going professional, even with NIL, would not make sense until he truly wasn’t prepared. In 4 years, it was Sarkisian’s job to get him prepared.
It is also arduous to think about that Manning, coming off a visit to the Faculty Soccer Playoff, would not be positioned to be at the very least a top-three decide. Once more, the implication is that Sarkisian fell wanting expectations on the sector if Manning is not positioned to make rather more cash within the NFL.
All of that quantities to potential doom for Sarkisian. If he misses the Faculty Soccer Playoff for a second season in a row, and if he hasn’t developed Manning right into a prime NFL decide in 4 seasons, you could possibly make the argument that Texas is not getting what it expects from Sarkisian anymore.
Developing wanting expectations when boosters are placing much more cash on the road than they used to is not a great place to be in. It is sufficient to place Sarkisian on the new seat.
