Entering the 2025 college football season, Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning is going to be one of the most talked about and watch players in the nation.
Being the nephew of NFL legends Peyton Manning and Eli Manning put him on the map originally. Now, he has shown a skill-set that many believe could lead to him being a future No. 1 overall pick.
Despite all of the hype that he has received, Manning is completely unproven on a college football field. He played a relief role for Quinn Ewers last season and got some valuable playing time, but he has not been a full-time starter yet.
Throughout the course of the 2024 season, Manning completed 67.8 percent of his pass attempts for 939 yards, nine touchdowns, and two interceptions. He also recorded 108 yards and four touchdowns on the ground.
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Following the 2025 season, Manning will have the option of leaving Texas and entering the 2026 NFL draft. Some don’t think he will exercise that option, but if he has a huge year and could be the No. 1 pick, he might just consider it.
Should that happen, a new surprising prediction has been made.
CBS Sports has predicted that Manning will not be the No. 1 overall pick if he chooses to enter the 2026 draft. In fact, he doesn’t have Manning in the top three.
They have projected Manning to be the No. 4 overall pick by the New York Jets.
“Arch Manning follows in the footsteps of his uncle (Eli Manning) by playing in the Big Apple,” they wrote. “Manning replaces 2025 starter Justin Fields for the Jets, who hope Manning turns out much better than the last quarterback they took in the top five (Zach Wilson in 2021).”
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Landing with the Jets would be an interesting fit. New York signed Justin Fields during free agency this offseason to a two-year, $40 million contract.
Manning would be able to come in and potentially even sit for a year before taking over as the face of the franchise. Or, he could join the Jets and instantly prove that he’s the better quarterback over Fields and take the keys to the offense immediately.
All of this is complete speculation. No one knows how the 2025 college football season will go for Manning with the Longhorns or whether he will enter the draft next offseason.
Only time will tell, but Manning and his future will be a huge talking point over the next year.
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