The 2025 season for Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning has been a rollercoaster. Once considered college football’s most hyped young quarterback, Manning stumbled out of the gate. His season opener against the Ohio State Buckeyes ended in a 14-7 loss, where he completed just 17 of 30 passes for 170 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
Subsequent games against the Florida Gators and No. 4 Georgia Bulldogs also ended in defeat, with Manning’s early inconsistencies drawing boos from fans in Austin. Against UTEP, a stretch of 10 consecutive incompletions sparked audible frustration from the home crowd.
Despite these shaky moments, Manning has also produced flashes of brilliance – including a four-touchdown performance against Sam Houston State and a clutch rushing and passing display in Saturday’s 27-17 win over No. 3 Texas A&M.
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These highs and lows have left fans and analysts divided about what comes next for him after the season.
Some believe Manning should declare for the NFL Draft now, citing his first-round potential and the opportunity to begin adjusting to professional defenses. Others argue he should return to Texas for another season to refine his mechanics, build consistency, and potentially improve his draft stock.
But Draft analyst Dane Brugler of The Athletic believes that there is a higher chance Manning stays in Austin for another season:
“If Arch Manning goes pro after this season, he will be a first-round lock … however, all signs point to him returning, which is the no-brainer decision.”
If Texas sneaks into the College Football Playoff and Arch Manning excels, is he back on the 2026 radar? pic.twitter.com/JrEYRWQbkb
— The Athletic CFB (@TheAthleticCFB) December 1, 2025
There are valid arguments on both sides. If Manning goes pro now, he locks in his financial future, begins adjusting to pro-level defenses, and capitalizes on current buzz. Staying in college, on the other hand, would allow him to lead Texas to another potential playoff run or high-profile bowl game, and could boost both his legacy and draft value further.
Manning continues to weigh his options amid debate over whether No. 16 Texas (8-3) deserves a College Football Playoff berth despite three losses. However, the Longhorns remain optimistic that the committee will view their overall performance favorably.
Related: Lane Kiffin Makes Coaching Decision After Becoming LSU’s Head Coach