However, Joel Klatt did not think Manning would be the top prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft if the Texas quarterback leaves early. On a recent edition of " The Joel Klatt Show ," Klatt put Ohio State Buckeyes safety Caleb Downs ahead of Manning.

Matt Galatzan and Zach Dimmitt of Texas Longhorns On SI discuss Greg McElroy's recent list of the Top 10 QBs in college football and Arch Manning's glaring omission from it, a way-too-early 2026 mock draft,

Despite being eligible to enter the 2026 NFL draft, it is reportedly far from guaranteed that Texas quarterback Arch Manning will do so. Jeff Howe of The Athletic spoke this week with five NFL executives and scouts, and all of them are "leaning in the direction of predicting" that Manning will return to school in 2026.