Arch Manning’s name is showing up all over the preseason quarterback landscape, and now it’s on the watch-list for the award that carries his family name.
Texas’ senior quarterback was included on the Manning Award watch-list, marking his first preseason mention for the honor that recognizes Archie Manning and his sons Peyton and Eli. He was one of 40 quarterbacks selected for the list and now has a chance to become the third Longhorn ever to win it, joining Vince Young in 2005 and Colt McCoy in 2009.
That’s just one more line on a busy preseason resume. Manning has also landed on the watch-lists for the Davey O’Brien Award, Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, Walter Camp National Player of the Year Award and the Maxwell Award.
“This watch list showcases many of the outstanding quarterbacks who will define the 2026 college football season, and we're proud that the Allstate Sugar Bowl continues to partner with the Manning family in recognizing excellence at the game's most important position, said Jeff Hundley, the chief executive officer of the award's founder, the Allstate Sugar Bowl.
"We look forward to watching these young men compete throughout the season and to seeing who rises to the occasion when the stakes are highest."
Manning’s 2025 season ended on a strong note after a shaky start in a year that carried plenty of attention from the jump. He wrapped it up by winning Most Outstanding Player in Texas’ Cheez-It Citrus Bowl victory over Michigan.
For the season, Manning completed 248 of 404 passes for 3,163 yards and 26 touchdowns. He also ran for 399 yards and 10 more scores. Against Michigan, he piled up four total touchdowns and 376 yards from scrimmage.
Last season, Manning was one of 14 finalists for the award, and he returns to the preseason watch-list for 2026 as one of nine SEC quarterbacks included.
Texas coach Steve Sarkisian sounded encouraged by what he’s seen so far, especially with Manning’s connections to the players around him.
"He's had a great camp. I'm pumped about it," Sarkisian said.
"I think his rapport with Ryan [Wingo], Cam [Coleman] and Emmett [Mosley V] is really high. I think his rapport with our running backs is really high.
Those guys are good players.
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