Arch Manning Puts College Football on Notice with Citrus Bowl Breakout, Heisman Hype Builds for 2026
Arch Manning didn’t just cross the goal line on his 60-yard touchdown run in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl - he crossed a threshold. The Texas quarterback, long surrounded by expectations thanks to his last name, may have finally stepped into his own spotlight.
That run - a weaving, breakaway sprint that capped off a commanding 41-27 win over No. 18 Michigan - felt like more than just a highlight.
It was the moment the conversation around Manning shifted from “potential” to “production.” And with it, the Heisman Trophy buzz for 2026 is back in full swing.
Manning finished the bowl game with 221 passing yards and two touchdowns on 21-of-34 passing. But it was his legs that truly stole the show: nine carries for 155 yards and two rushing scores, including that game-sealing dash that left Michigan defenders grasping at air. It was the kind of performance that reminds you why the hype train got rolling in the first place.
From Growing Pains to Game-Changer
Let’s not rewrite history - the early part of Manning’s season was rocky. After a 29-21 loss to Florida on October 4, the whispers started.
Was he overrated? Was the Manning name carrying more weight than his actual play?
But to Texas’ credit - and Manning’s - they stayed the course. Over the final seven games of the regular season, Manning looked like a completely different quarterback.
He completed 62.1% of his passes (146-of-235), averaged nearly 256 passing yards per game, and threw 13 touchdowns against just two interceptions. Texas went 6-1 in that stretch, including a statement win over No.
3 Texas A&M to close the regular season.
The turnaround wasn’t just about Manning getting comfortable. It was also about Texas adjusting around him.
The offensive line, while still a work in progress (he was sacked 23 times this season), gave him just enough time to showcase his arm and athleticism. And with the running back room thin - Christian Clark had only 35 carries entering the bowl - Manning took on more of the ground game himself.
The result? A dual-threat quarterback who looks ready to take over college football.
Heisman Watch: Arch at the Center of the Storm
Let’s be clear: Manning will be a Heisman favorite heading into 2026. That’s not just because of his last name - though that certainly keeps the spotlight on him - but because his play is starting to match the pedigree.
The early-season schedule will test him quickly. Texas opens with a return game against Ohio State on September 12, followed by a trip to Tennessee’s Neyland Stadium on September 26. Both are marquee matchups with national implications - and both are prime stages for a Heisman campaign to either take off or stall out.
We’ve seen this before with his uncle Peyton, who posted solid numbers in his freshman bowl game (189 yards and a touchdown in the 1994 Gator Bowl) before going on to finish in the top 10 of Heisman voting three times. Arch may be on a similar trajectory, but with his own twist - he’s more mobile, more of a modern dual-threat quarterback, and plays in a more quarterback-friendly era.
Who Else Is in the Early Heisman Conversation?
Of course, Manning won’t be alone in the race. Here’s a look at a few other names who will be in the mix, assuming 2025 Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza heads to the NFL:
- Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State: Smith is a matchup nightmare. At 6'3" with elite hands and route-running, he hauled in 80 receptions on 96 targets - that’s an eye-popping 81.6% catch rate - for 1,086 yards and 11 touchdowns. After being snubbed for the Biletnikoff Award, he’ll be playing with a chip on his shoulder.
- Julian Sayin, QB, Ohio State: Sayin was a Heisman finalist this season and arguably could’ve won it had Ohio State taken care of business in the Big Ten title game. He led the nation with a 78.4% completion rate, threw for over 3,300 yards, and posted a 31:6 touchdown-to-interception ratio. And yes, he already has a head-to-head win over Manning - a 14-7 grinder to open the season.
- CJ Carr, QB, Notre Dame: Carr quietly put together a strong year, throwing for 2,741 yards and 24 touchdowns while leading the Irish to 10 straight wins to close the regular season. After early-season losses to Miami and Texas A&M, Carr found his rhythm - and Notre Dame will be a playoff contender again next year.
- Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama: Simpson’s Heisman stock cooled late in the season, but don’t count him out. With a full year under offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb and head coach Kalen DeBoer, he’s poised for a leap. The Crimson Tide made it to the CFP quarterfinals, and if Simpson takes the next step, he could vault back into the national spotlight.
The Road Ahead
For Arch Manning, the Citrus Bowl was more than just a bowl win - it was a reminder of what he's capable of when everything clicks. He’s got the tools, he’s got the name, and now he’s got the momentum.
The expectations will only grow from here, but if the second half of this season was any indication, Manning is starting to look like the kind of quarterback who doesn’t just handle pressure - he thrives under it.
So go ahead, pencil him in as a Heisman frontrunner. Just don’t expect him to be the only one in the race. College football’s next season is already shaping up to be a quarterback showcase, and Arch Manning is right at the center of it.