Arch Manning is staying in Austin - and he’s not just coming back for another year, he’s coming back to level up.
After a strong finish to his first season as Texas’ starting quarterback, Manning made it clear he’s not ready to leave the Forty Acres just yet. While some might’ve expected the former No. 1 recruit to test NFL Draft waters, Manning is choosing development over departure - and his mindset heading into Year 2 is exactly what the Longhorns need.
“I felt like I developed a lot this year, especially towards the back half, and I want to keep it going,” Manning said. “There’s no reason to leave. I feel like I got a lot more football left to play, and excited to still be a part of this team.”
That’s not just lip service. Manning’s growth over the course of the season was real - and measurable.
He averaged 325.9 passing yards per game, threw 33 touchdowns to just nine interceptions, and added another 12 scores on the ground. Oh, and let’s not forget the four-yard touchdown catch that added a little flair to an already dynamic season.
But where things really clicked was down the stretch. In the second half of the season, Manning turned it up.
He threw for 328 yards against No. 9 Vanderbilt, 346 against Mississippi State, and 389 against Arkansas - a stretch that showcased not just his arm talent, but his growing confidence and command of the offense.
It’s the kind of upward trajectory that Texas fans were hoping to see when Manning arrived on campus, and now it looks like he’s just getting started.
Next season, he’ll be the undisputed leader of the offense, and he’ll have a new face in the quarterback room: five-star freshman Dia Bell, who’s expected to take on a developmental role - much like Manning did behind Quinn Ewers. That continuity in the quarterback pipeline is key for a program looking to make the leap from good to great.
And while the Longhorns fell short of the College Football Playoff for a third straight year, they’re still ending the season with a top-25 showdown. Texas, ranked No. 13, is set to face No.
18 Michigan in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl on New Year’s Eve. Kickoff is at 2 p.m.
CT on ABC.
For Manning, it’s another chance to show how far he’s come - and maybe a preview of just how high his ceiling really is heading into 2026. One thing’s clear: he’s not just staying at Texas. He’s building something.