Arch Manning opens 2026 as Heisman favorite, and a new weapon could help him make family history
The senior has gradually developed into the centerpiece of Steve Sarkisian's offense
T he Manning family has accumulated nearly every major accomplishment a quarterback can achieve. Archie Manning became a college football legend at Ole Miss. Peyton Manning built a Hall of Fame résumé and won two Super Bowls . Eli Manning delivered two of the most memorable championship runs in NFL history.
Together, the family has produced generations of elite quarterbacks and left an indelible mark on the sport. Yet one of college football's most prestigious awards has remained surprisingly elusive. No Manning has ever won the Heisman Trophy. According to NFL.com analyst and former player Bucky Brooks, that could finally change in 2026.
Brooks recently placed Texas quarterback Arch Manning at the top of his 2026 Heisman Trophy watch list, citing the Longhorns' loaded offense and the arrival of a dynamic new playmaker who could elevate the young signal-caller's production to another level. If Brooks is right, Arch Manning may have the perfect opportunity to accomplish something neither Peyton, Eli, nor Archie ever achieved.
The Heisman favorite enters the spotlight
Expectations have followed Manning since the moment he arrived in Austin. As the nephew of Peyton and Eli Manning and the grandson of Archie Manning , he entered college football carrying one of the most recognizable surnames in sports. While the attention has often been overwhelming, Manning has gradually developed into the centerpiece of Steve Sarkisian's offense and one of the most intriguing quarterbacks in the country.
Now, with Texas once again expected to contend for a national championship, the spotlight has intensified. Brooks believes Manning is positioned to deliver the kind of statistical season that Heisman voters love. The Texas quarterback possesses the size, arm talent, mobility, and football IQ that NFL scouts covet. At 6-foot-4 and 222 pounds, he has the physical profile of a future professional starter, but it is the supporting cast around him that could ultimately separate him from the competition.
Cam Coleman could be the missing piece
One of the biggest reasons for optimism surrounding Manning's Heisman candidacy is the addition of Auburn transfer Cam Coleman. Brooks described Coleman as a potential NFL WR1 prospect, and his arrival gives Texas another explosive weapon in an offense already loaded with talent.
Coleman's ability to stretch defenses vertically could create more opportunities for Manning to attack downfield. His combination of size, speed, and ball-tracking ability makes him a dangerous target on deep routes, while his playmaking skills after the catch provide another avenue for generating big plays.
For a quarterback chasing a Heisman Trophy, explosive plays matter.
Highlight-reel touchdowns, long completions, and eye-popping statistics often shape the narrative of a Heisman campaign. Coleman appears capable of helping Manning produce all three. Brooks also noted that the receiver's versatility should allow Texas to utilize him on catch-and-run concepts, helping Manning rack up completions and maintain a high efficiency rate throughout the season.
Sarkisian's system is built for quarterback success
Talent alone does not win the Heisman Trophy. The right offensive system is equally important, and few coaches in college football are more respected for offensive design than Steve Sarkisian. Over the past several seasons, Sarkisian has consistently crafted game plans that maximize quarterback strengths and create favorable matchups for skill-position players.
His offenses are known for generating explosive plays while also manufacturing easy scoring opportunities through creative formations and route combinations. Brooks specifically pointed to Sarkisian's ability to design "winners", plays that frequently leave receivers open for uncontested touchdowns.
Those schemes not only help Texas win games , but they also boost quarterback production. If Manning is regularly throwing for touchdowns while directing one of the nation's most explosive offenses, his Heisman résumé could become difficult to ignore.
