Arch Manning will be returning to school for the 2026 college football season, putting to bed speculation that he may declare for the upcoming NFL Draft.

The decision that the latest family phenom would continue playing at Texas was confirmed in a text message from Manning’s father Cooper, shared with ESPN’s Dave Wilson, while the broadcaster’s Andrea Adelson further expanded that ‘Texas officials told ESPN the full expectation was that Manning would be back next season, even though Manning could have declared for the NFL draft as a redshirt sophomore’.

Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian had previously stated at a media event in Orlando, ahead of the Longhorns’ clash with Michigan in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl on 31st December, that he felt returning to college for another year would be in Manning’s best interests.

“He’s a young man who’s gotten better as the season’s gone on, and not only physically, but mentally, maturity-wise,” ‘Sark’ said. “I would think he’s going to want another year of that growth to put himself in position for, hopefully, a long career in the NFL. Besides, he’s got some unfinished business of what he came here to do and what he came here to accomplish.

“We had a really good football season, [but] we left some meat on the bone with an opportunity to be SEC champs, national champs, and so, ultimately for him, I think the competitor in him is going to say, ‘Man, I sure would like another crack at trying to do those things’.”

As a redshirt sophomore, Manning recorded 2,942 yards, 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He struggled early on with some wobbly performances, not really coming into his own until the second half of the season, but closed out the campaign strongly with an impressive win over then conference favourites Texas A&M. However, his continued improvement was not enough to drive the Longhorns to a Playoff spot, and t he nephew of NFL legends Peyton and Eli Manning will look to take his team one step further in 2026 as he builds his résumé in preparation for the jump to the pros.