Arch Manning’s Heisman Buzz Is Back - And This Time, It Feels Real
The Heisman just landed in the hands of Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza, but college football doesn’t rest for long - and neither does the hype. As we shift our eyes toward 2026, one name is already dominating early conversations: Arch Manning.
Yes, that Arch Manning.
After a rollercoaster 2025 campaign, Texas’ sophomore quarterback is right back in the national spotlight, and this time, the Heisman chatter isn’t just about potential - it’s about production.
Manning’s season didn’t start the way Longhorn fans had hoped. Texas stumbled to a 3-2 start, including a tough loss to Florida that had critics questioning whether the Manning era in Austin was ready for primetime. But what followed was a five-game stretch that flipped the narrative - and might’ve set the stage for something special in 2026.
Over those final five regular-season games, Manning accounted for 15 total touchdowns - through the air and on the ground - while throwing just two interceptions. That’s not just cleaning up the stat sheet; that’s leading under pressure, against top-tier competition. In fact, Texas knocked off three top-10 opponents during that span, with Manning at the heart of it all.
By season’s end, the numbers told the story of a quarterback who found his rhythm: 227 completions on 370 attempts, 2,942 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, and only seven picks. Add in 244 rushing yards and eight scores on the ground, and you’ve got a dual-threat weapon who’s starting to look every bit the five-star prospect he was billed to be.
But let’s not pretend this journey was easy. The Manning name comes with expectations - and pressure.
From the moment Arch stepped onto campus, the spotlight was blinding. Every throw, every decision, every misstep was magnified.
And early on, it looked like the weight might be too much. But Manning didn’t shy away from it.
He adjusted. He grew.
And when Texas needed him most, he delivered.
That’s why the Heisman talk feels different this time around.
Last offseason, Manning was already a trendy pick - a preseason darling based more on lineage and promise than actual college tape. Some even penciled him in as a finalist before he’d thrown a pass at the collegiate level. That kind of early hype was always going to be tough to live up to.
But now? Now there’s substance behind the buzz.
He’s battle-tested. He’s got a full season of SEC football under his belt.
And most importantly, he’s shown he can elevate his game when the lights are brightest. With a more experienced Texas roster returning in 2026 and real momentum building in Austin, Manning isn’t just chasing the Heisman - he’s in position to take it.
If he can carry that late-season surge into the fall, don’t be surprised if Arch Manning isn’t just in the Heisman conversation - he’s leading it.