Arch Manning’s late-season surge in 2025 was one of the more compelling storylines in college football. After a slow start, the Texas quarterback found his rhythm down the stretch, flashing the kind of playmaking ability that had Longhorns fans dreaming big. But despite that strong finish, Manning enters the 2026 season tied for just 10th in Pro Football Focus’ returning quarterback rankings-a placement that’s raising more than a few eyebrows around the college football world.
Let’s break this down.
According to PFF’s list, Ohio State’s Julian Sayin tops the rankings, followed by Oregon’s Dante Moore, Texas Tech’s Brendan Sorsby (a transfer from Cincinnati), Oklahoma State’s Drew Mestemaker (via North Texas), and Auburn’s Byrum Brown (formerly of South Florida). Rounding out the top 10 are Miami’s Darian Mensah, Notre Dame’s C.J. Carr, Arizona’s Noah Fifita, Nebraska’s Anthony Colandrea (from UNLV), USC’s Jayden Maiava, and then Manning-tied with Maiava for that final spot in the top 10.
Now, there’s no denying that the quarterbacks ahead of Manning bring serious talent to the table. Sayin and Moore, in particular, have looked every bit like future first-round picks.
And Mestemaker’s rise at Oklahoma State has been nothing short of meteoric. But when you look at the way Manning closed out 2025-commanding the offense, extending plays, and showing both poise and explosiveness-it’s hard not to wonder if he's being a little undervalued here.
PFF’s grading system is rooted in film-based evaluation, and it leans heavily on passing metrics. That’s fair.
But Manning’s game isn’t just about clean pocket throws and completion percentages. He’s one of the rare quarterbacks in the country who can beat a defense with a 75-yard bomb or a 75-yard sprint.
That kind of dual-threat ability doesn’t always show up in traditional metrics, but it absolutely changes games-and game plans.
What’s especially surprising is that Manning actually finished the 2025 season ranked No. 9 by PFF. So for him to drop slightly-or at best, stay flat-despite his late-season rise and the promise of an even stronger supporting cast in 2026, is a bit of a head-scratcher. Texas boasts one of the most talented receiver rooms in the country, and with an offensive line that’s expected to take a step forward, Manning is poised to elevate his play even further.
This kind of ranking isn’t just a number on a list-it’s fuel. For a player like Manning, who’s grown up in the spotlight and knows how to handle pressure, this is exactly the kind of thing that ends up taped to a locker. Bulletin board material, plain and simple.
The bottom line? Arch Manning has plenty of eyes on him heading into 2026, and while PFF might not be buying all the stock just yet, don’t be surprised if he forces a re-evaluation sooner rather than later. Because if the version of Manning we saw in the second half of last season shows up from Week 1 this fall, it won’t be long before he's climbing that list-and making a serious case as one of the elite quarterbacks in college football.