Arch Manning draft debate: Why experts want Texas star to stay in school through 2027
The Longhorns QB remains a top NFL prospect, but Robert Griffin III believes he needs more time before making the jump to the next level.
Arch Manning is the starting quarterback for the nation's No. 1 team , but he still hasn't fully convinced with his play this season, even as all eyes in the NFL are on him.
After a slow start, the Texas quarterback closed out his 2025 campaign with 3,163 passing yards, 399 rushing yards and 36 total touchdowns . There were moments when he looked like a true first-round NFL Draft prospect .
Through four games this year, Manning has completed 63.5% of his passes for 862 yards , with seven touchdowns and three interceptions . He has been efficient in wins over Ohio State and Tennessee , but he hasn't yet made the leap many expected, the one that could establish him as the true top prospect.
Appearing on "The Herd" on Tuesday, Robert Griffin III , a former NFL quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner , recommended that Manning return to Texas for the 2027 season . In the former player's view, we haven't seen enough spectacular plays from the talented passer.
"I believe he should come back for another year," Griffin said. "When guys are ready to go to the NFL, playing college football looks easy for them. For myself when I came out, when Andrew Luck came out, it looked easy in our last years. It doesn't look easy for Arch yet."
Will Arch Manning stay one more year in Austin?
Before the 2026 season began, former ESPN analyst Todd McShay had already suggested that Manning could stay one more year with head coach Steve Sarkisian.
"I don't even know that the Mannings are looking at this as the swan song at Texas," said McShay. "There's a long history of Manning sticking around that extra year that people didn't think they were going to stick around until they're right and they feel like they're ready. I won't be surprised at all if he's in the 2028 draft."
It's still too early to speculate about Manning's future , but it's clear he hasn't yet lived up to the enormous expectations that follow him.
Even so, if he decides to declare for the 2027 draft, he will surely have teams interested because of his age, his potential and the weight of his last name in football.
