Arch Manning returning to Texas in 2026

Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning has reportedly made a decision regarding his future at the school.

He has decided to return to Texas in 2026 instead of turning professional, according to multiple reports. Cooper Manning, Arch’s father, made the revelation in a text to ESPN.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning warms up before a game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on November 28, 2025. (Scott Wachter/Imagn Images)

“Arch will play football at Texas next year,” Manning wrote.

Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian told reporters at a pre-Citrus Bowl event that Manning could benefit from at least one more season in college, even though some NFL experts believed Manning could be the first quarterback or even a player taken off the board in the draft.

“He is a young man who has improved throughout the season, not only physically, but also mentally and in terms of maturity,” Sarkisian said. “I think he’ll want another year of that growth to put himself in position to hopefully have a long NFL career. And he has some unfinished business on what he came here to do and what he came here to accomplish.”

SOUTH CAROLINA LEGEND STEVE TANEYHILL, KNOWN FOR ICONIC TOUCHDOWN CELEBRATION ‘HOME RUN’, DEAD AT 52

Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) warms up before a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on November 22, 2025. (Scott Wachter/Imagn Images)

Manning has yet to say what he would do one way or another. He prepares to face Michigan on December 31.

Archie Manning, Arch’s grandfather, created a stir in August when he said he expected his grandson to declare for the draft after his redshirt sophomore season. Arch had to live up to these expectations.

The 2025 season didn’t go exactly as planned for Manning and the Longhorns, however. Despite starting the season ranked No. 1 in the nation, Texas got off to a slow start from the get-go. They lost to Ohio State by seven, then suffered a tough eight-point loss to Florida.

Texas was demolished by Georgia before ending the season with an upset win over Texas A&M.

Bundle FOX One and FOX Nation to stream the entire FOX Nation library, plus live FOX News, Sports and Entertainment at our lowest price of the year. Offer ends January 4, 2026. (Fox One; Fox Nation)

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Manning totaled 2,942 passing yards and 24 touchdown passes. He added 244 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns.

Follow Fox News Digital sports coverage on and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.