Tag: Manning

Dec 31, 2025; Orlando, FL, USA; Michigan Wolverines defensive lineman Damon Payne (44) tips a pass from Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) during the first half at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images

Arch Manning favorite to be top pick in ’27 NFL draft

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Arch Manning has opened as the favorite to be the No. 1 pick in the next NFL draft for the second consecutive year.

The Texas quarterback was installed as the +250 favorite by DraftKings. That’s ahead of fellow quarterbacks Dante Moore (+380) of Oregon, Notre Dame’s CJ Carr (+650) and South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellars (+1200).

After only two quarterbacks were selected in the first round on Friday — including the Rams surprising many by taking Ty Simpson at No. 13 — the 2027 quarterback class is projected to be much deeper.

It’s led by Manning, who was installed as the +200 favorite by DraftKings following the conclusion of the 2025 class to be the No. 1 pick this year. Manning endured some struggles the first half of last season before finishing strong, and opted to return for another year with the Longhorns.

Moore also decided to return to school despite being projected as a potential top-5 selection, boosting a ’27 quarterback class that already boasted intriguing talent. Carr is coming off a strong first season as Notre Dame’s starter, while Sellars is looking to bounce back from an injury-plagued 2025 for the Gamecocks.

Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith has the shortest odds among non-quarterback. He is being offered at +1400 along with new Miami Hurricanes signal-caller Darian Mensah.

2027 NFL DRAFT NO. 1 PICK ODDS*
Arch Manning, QB, Texas (+250)
Dante Moore, QB, Oregon (+380)
CJ Carr, QB, Notre Dame (+650)
LaNorris Sellers, QB, South Carolina (+1200)
Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State (+1400)
Darian Mensah, QB, Miami, Fla. (+1400)
Julian Sayin, QB, Ohio State (+1800)
Drew Mestemaker, QB, Oklahoma State (+2000)
Dylan Steward, LB, South Carolina (+2200)
Colin Simmons, LB, Texas (+3000)
Dayden Maiava, QB, Southern Cal (+3500)
Nico Iamaleava, QB, UCLA (+4000)
Josh Hoover, QB, Indiana (+4000)
Trevor Goosby, OT, Texas (+5000)
Sam Leavitt, QB, LSU (+5000)
Jordan Seaton, OT, Colorado (+5000)
John Matter, QB, Oklahoma (+5000)
John Henry Daley, DE, Michigan (+5000)
DJ Lagway, QB, Baylor (+5000)
Demond Williams, QB, Washington (+5000)
Trinidad Chambliss, QB, Ole Miss (+7500)
*DraftKings

–Field Level Media

Arch, Gunner center stage in Texas-Georgia SEC showdown in Athens

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The last time Arch Manning was in Athens alongside Georgia coach Kirby Smart, the Bulldogs were walking the recruiting tightrope knowing prominent SEC ties were still in play.

On Saturday Manning strolls back into Georgia (8-1) with a chance to steer Texas (7-2) closer to a return appearance in the College Football Playoff. Georgia is No. 5, five spots ahead of the two-loss Longhorns.

In Texas’ last two wins over Mississippi State and Vanderbilt, Manning has thrown for 346 and 325 yards – the two highest passing totals of his career. After struggling to begin his first season as starter in a road game at No. 1 Ohio State, Manning has come into his own ahead of the massive matchup in Athens.

“Any time you are moving the ball on offense, the game starts to slow down,” Manning said. “We’ve just got to continue moving forward. Georgia has a really good defense.”

Georgia (8-1, 6-1 SEC) has won five straight games ahead of one of Sanford Stadium’s most anticipated matchups in its 96-year history.

The SEC Championship Game rematch — Georgia beat Texas 22-19 in overtime last December — marks the first time the Longhorns will play at Sanford Stadium.

“We’ve got a big matchup,” Smart said. “I’ve got a lot of respect for (Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian). He’s become a good friend of mine. He does a tremendous job. He’s at one of the premier programs in the country. He’s been successful everywhere he’s been. I enjoy his friendship and look forward to another great matchup on Saturday night.”

When Manning chose to head to Austin, Georgia didn’t drop the ball. And Texas was there for the Bulldogs’ most recent QB handoff.

Their current quarterback needs no introduction to the Longhorns.

Gunner Stockton broke onto the scene for the Bulldogs in the emergency appearance in the conference championship game. Carson Beck was knocked out of the game with a torn UCL. Stockton completed 12 of 16 passes for 71 yards in the second half to help lead Georgia to a conference title.

In his first full season under center, Stockton has thrown for 15 touchdowns and just two interceptions, adding seven scores on the ground.

“He’s brought toughness, he’s brought wisdom, he’s brought consistency,” Smart said of Stockton. “He’s avoided catastrophic things like turnovers. He’s made plays with his legs, and he’s made plays with his arm. It’s going to make us very hard to defend when he plays well.”

After a loss to hapless Florida on October 4, Texas was all but written off in the playoff chase. The Longhorns have since rattled off four consecutive victories and can prove they’re a playoff-worthy team with a road win on Saturday.

“Since we lost to Florida, the first bullet point I talked to the team about was what it takes to get to the SEC Championship game,” Sarkisian said. “If we want to play in an SEC Championship game, you’ve got to win Saturday night. It just is what it is.”

Manning admitted that before choosing Texas in June 2022, the nation’s top player was almost a Bulldog.

“They’re a good team. I was considering them until the end,” Manning said on Monday. “But we’re just focused on today, getting better today.”

Things worked out for the two-time national champion Georgia head coach, but there were reasons Smart recruited Manning so heavily.

“It wasn’t about the celebrity nature or the last name. It was about the tape,” Smart said. “They’ve got a wonderful family, but it had nothing to do with his recruitment. His recruitment was because he’s athletic, he’s fast, he’s tall, he’s intelligent, I mean, he can do it all. He can run the ball, he can throw the ball. In this day and age, you’ve got to have a quarterback that can do both. He can, and I think he’s got great composure.”

Saturday’s winner would receive a boost in the rankings but the season isn’t close to over, and no SEC team has anything wrapped up.

Texas hosts Arkansas and No. 3 Texas A&M (Nov. 28), meaning a top four spot in the playoff isn’t out of the question if the Longhorns win their final three regular-season games.

Georgia has home dates with Texas and Charlotte (Nov. 22) before going to Atlanta (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) to take on No. 16 Georgia Tech (Nov. 28). Georgia erased a 17-point deficit and went to eight overtimes for a 44-42 win against the Yellow Jackets last season.

–Field Level Media

Arch Manning, Texas embrace shot to show Georgia what it’s missing

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Georgia coach Kirby Smart recognizes the version of Arch Manning performing at a high level since critics gathered with doubts that the first-time starter was destined to carry on the All-Pro family lineage.

“He has made lots of wow throws,” Smart said of Texas’ redshirt sophomore quarterback, a player Georgia went after hard on the recruiting trail more than three years ago as pundits drew parallels to uncles Peyton Manning and Eli Manning.

“It really wasn’t about the celebrity nature or the last name. It was about the tape,” Smart said. “Have a good relationship with his family.

“His recruitment was based on he’s athletic, he’s fast, he’s tall, he’s intelligent. He’s got composure. He can do it all. Even the way he’s managed the hype and expectations … it doesn’t seem to have affected him. He knows he has to grow and get better.”

Texas coach Steve Sarkisian turned the offense over to Manning this year following two seasons as a backup to Quinn Ewers.

Sarkisian will be out to break a poor record against teams ranked in the top 10 when the Longhorns follow Manning to Athens on Saturday. Sarkisian is 2-11 at Texas against opponents in the top 10 of the AP poll including two losses to Georgia in 2024.

“Since we lost to Florida, the first bullet point when I talk to the team about what it takes is, this is an SEC Championship game. That (mindset) went back now for the last month,” Sarkisian said. “This week’s not different.”

Manning has wins over No. 9 Vanderbilt (34-31 on Nov. 1) and No. 6 Oklahoma (23-6 on Oct. 11) this season. He has seven touchdowns and one interception since completing 21-of-27 passes against the Sooners and has averaged 337 passing yards the past two games.

On the other side, Georgia junior Gunner Stockton has 15 touchdowns, two interceptions and wins over No. 5 Ole Miss and No. 15 Tennessee with one loss in September against Alabama.

In a retrospective glance back on Monday at recruiting Texas’ current quarterback, Smart said there was no “sales pitch” from Georgia, which leaned on a relationship with members of the Manning family and built a strong rapport.

“He came over here a lot,” Smart said. “He was very honest. Had his thoughts about both programs. He liked both programs. He had to pick one.”

Smart is happy to have Stockton under center.

“He’s brought consistency. He’s made good decisions with the ball in terms of keeping us out of bad situations,” Smart said. “He’s avoided quite a bit of sacks. He’s avoided catastrophic turnovers. He’s improved throughout the season. He continues to do that. He’s going to make us very hard to defend when he plays well.”

The winner of Saturday’s game stays on solid footing for the College Football Playoff even with nine SEC teams packed in the Top 25.

–Field Level Media

Sep 20, 2025; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Matthew Caldwell (18) throws a pass during the second half against the Sam Houston Bearkats at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

Texas QB Arch Manning in concussion protocol; Matthew Caldwell next man up

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Arch Manning is in concussion protocol and did not practice Monday after suffering a head injury Saturday, when Texas turned to backup quarterback Matthew Caldwell to survive an upset bid by Mississippi State in overtime.

The No. 20 Longhorns enter the week with an unclear picture at quarterback and No. 9 Vanderbilt headed to Austin, but Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian voiced confidence in the to-be-determined plan.

If Caldwell starts, the fifth-year senior who called an audible before taking the snap on the game-winning TD pass at Mississippi State, has already earned the trust of teammates.

“He’s played well every time that we’ve put him in the game,” Sarkisian said Monday. “What gives me confidence is who he’s been, so I feel very comfortable with Matt whenever he’s in the ballgame.

“The moment’s not too big for him.”

Manning was hurt on a scramble in overtime but rallied Texas from a 31-14 deficit and passed for 169 yards in the fourth quarter. He had a career-high 346 passing yards, three touchdowns and a rushing touchdown before being forced out of the 45-38 victory.

“He was a warrior. He competed like he always does,” Sarkisian said Monday.

Texas (6-2, 3-1 SEC) escaped Starkville on Saturday to maintain a shot at appearing in the conference title game.

Caldwell began his college career at Jacksonville State before landing at Gardner-Webb for two years. He played for Troy last season, making five starts and throwing for 1,608 yards with 13 touchdowns.

–Field Level Media

Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian speaks with quarterback Arch Manning (16) during warm ups last season. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

Texas sticking with Arch, ‘so close’ in passing game

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Texas coach Steve Sarkisian is sticking with Arch Manning at quarterback with visions of an imminent breakthrough in the passing game.

Sarkisian said Monday there’s no changes to make that aren’t easily correctable as the Longhorns (2-1) prepare for their final non-conference tuneup on Saturday at home against Sam Houston.

“If Arch was having a bunch of mental errors and not operating the offense well, that maybe would have required to take him out,” Sarkisian said Monday after reviewing Manning’s 11-of-25 passing game against UTEP.

“I didn’t think that was the case. Different things require different things to get your point across. We handled it accordingly. We’ll handle it accordingly this week and expect him to come out and have a great game Saturday.”

Manning rushed for two touchdowns, threw for a score and finished the win with 114 passing yards and one interception.

Still, Sarkisian said he was more optimistic than ever reviewing the game film because he senses the Longhorns are on the verge of a big game from the offense. It will likely come without starting running back CJ Baxter. Sarkisian said Monday the injury doesn’t appear to be a major one, and Texas will play it safe with a trip to Florida in two weeks for the SEC opener.

“We don’t think it’s overly significant but he’ll be out this week just from a precautionary standpoint to hopefully get him ready for SEC play,” Sarkisian said.

Manning is completing 55.3 percent of his passes with six touchdowns and three interceptions in three games in 2025. The Longhorns are not planning to change things up pregame — or in-game — to simply “get his attention,” Sarkisian said.

“Just coach him. That’s our job, to coach. Different scenarios call for different measures of what you need to do,” Sarkisian explained. “Different things require different things to get your point across.”

–Field Level Media

Nov 24, 2023; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian observes quarterback Arch Manning (16) warming up before a game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

Texas coach unloads on reporter with potty talk in Arch’s defense

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A reporter asked Steve Sarkisian if Arch Manning was experiencing pain when throwing the ball, and the Texas coach immediately went on the offensive at his Monday press conference in Austin.

“According to who?” Sarkisian asked about Manning’s health. “He doesn’t have any.”

The reporter asked if there’s an explanation for why Manning “looked like that” and if there were problems with his shoulder.

“I don’t know,” Sarkisian said. “I’ve never filmed any of you guys when you’re using the bathroom, so I don’t know what faces you make when you’re doing that.”

After two games as the Longhorns’ starter, Manning remains a focal point.

Sarkisian believes Texas is getting there, but understands the Longhorns have a lot of ground to cover to be their best. Some of Texas’ top individual players, Colin Simmons (multiple penalties in each of the first two games) and wide receiver Ryan Wingo are guilty of “trying too hard,” the coach said.

“We’re going to get ready to go into SEC play,” Sarkisian said Monday. “The variety of offenses you get, to the style of the quarterbacks that you play to the multitude of fronts that you’re going to play. … We have some growing pains from a player’s perspective. But there’s some growing pains from a staff perspective, too. What do we really like? What works, what doesn’t? Even when things don’t go exactly the way we want, are we able to adjust it in game and get better?”

Texas began the season ranked No. 1 overall and lost in a high-profile matchup at Ohio State to begin the season. Texas (1-1) bounced back behind a takeaway-happy defense last week, forcing three fumbles (two by preseason All-American linebacker Anthony Hill) and coming up with an interception in a 38-7 victory over San Jose State.

Quarterback Arch Manning completed 19 of 30 passes with four TD passes and was intercepted once. Sarkisian said Parker Livingstone is helping take some of the attention away from the rest of the offense. He had 128 receiving yards and two touchdowns Saturday.

“I thought Arch had a very good football game,” Sarkisian said. “He was not perfect. I do not expect him to be.

“We obviously challenged Arch from one week to the next. He obviously responded. And I think there’s still growing pains in there.”

The offense as a whole continues to work through timing and getting all 11 on the same page. Offensive line cohesion is a continued work in progress, but the schedule appears to offer a window for the Longhorns to get it together. Up next are games against UTEP and Sam Houston at home before the Longhorns head to Gainesville to take on an SEC foe, the Florida Gators.

Of their 12 third-down snaps on offense against San Jose State, the Longhorns faced a distance to gain of at least nine yards on 50 percent of those plays.

While Texas knows the long view involves SEC foes and bigger stakes, Sarkisian wants his team to understand there’s no time to exhale. He said he appreciates how coachable his team is and expects them to respond.

“Where was our mental intensity? Where was our mental focus?” Sarkisian said. “Human nature is ‘let’s take a deep breath and relax.’ We don’t get to relax. All that starts with me.”

–Field Level Media

Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) runs during the second half of the NCAA football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium on Aug. 30, 2025. Ohio State won 14-7.

Lackluster opener sends Arch Manning’s Heisman odds due south

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By the time the second top-10 game of the day kicked off at Death Valley, Arch Manning’s Heisman Trophy odds were on life support.

A pick, one touchdown and subpar numbers in general sent Manning’s odds to win the 2025 Heisman south rapidly.

The quarterbacks involved in the Saturday evening game in South Carolina, Clemson’s Cade Klubnik and LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier, were moved to co-favorites before either took a snap.

Their 15-2 odds (+700) on FanDuel were far superior to Manning’s, who went from 5-1 odds at kickoff of the noon ET game at Ohio State to +1800. Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton, South Carolina quarterback La’Norris Sellers and Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer all jumped to +1600 on Saturday.

Manning finished with pedestrian passing numbers in the No. 1 Longhorns’ 14-7 loss to the No. 3 Buckeyes. He completed 17 of 30 for 170 yards, one touchdown and an interception in the third quarter on a throw he would love to have back.

Penn State quarterback Drew Allar, Oregon quarterback Dante Moore and Miami quarterback Carson Beck were all +1800, even with Manning. The Hurricanes play Notre Dame on Sunday night.

Updated Heisman Trophy odds from FanDuel (Saturday, 7:45 p.m. ET):
Cade Klubnik (Clemson), +700
Garrett Nussmeier (LSU), +700
John Mateer (Oklahoma), +1600
LaNorris Sellers (South Carolina), +1600
Jeremiah Smith (Ohio State), +1600
Gunner Stockton (Georgia), +1600
Carson Beck (Miami), +1800
Dante Moore (Oregon), +1800
Drew Allar (Penn State), +1800
Arch Manning (Texas), +1800
Jackson Arnold (Auburn), +2000
Sam Leavitt (Arizona State), +2000
Julian Sayin (Ohio State), +2500
DJ Lagway (Florida), +2500
Jeremiyah Love (Notre Dame), +2500
Thomas Castellanos (Florida State), +3300
Marcel Reed (Texas A&M), +3500
Kevin Jennings (SMU), +3500
Austin Simmons (Ole Miss), +3500

–Field Level Media

Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) leaves the field following the NCAA football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium on Aug. 30, 2025. Ohio State won 14-7.

Arch Manning puts No. 1 Texas’ loss on his shoulders

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Arch Manning pointed the finger at himself as his coach criticized outside expectations as No. 1 Texas opened the season with a 14-7 loss at Ohio State on Saturday.

Manning completed 17 of 30 passes for 170 yards with one touchdown and one interception.

“Ultimately not good enough,” Manning said of his performance, sipping on an orange Gatorade in his postgame news conference. “Obviously, you don’t want to start off the season 0-1, and they’re a good team, but I thought we beat ourselves a lot and that starts with me. I’ve got to play better for us to win. I think I beat myself today.”

Manning was shaky from the start and had only 26 passing yards at halftime. He was stuffed at the goal line trying to score in the third quarter.

“We’ve gotta have those,” Manning said. “And I’ve gotta make more of a push because that was a big swing in the game.”

All in all, he came up short in his debut as the full-time starter for the Longhorns, but didn’t want to talk about injured receivers or excessive turnover on the offensive line from the 2024 College Football Playoff version of Texas.

As Manning said he hoped he would be able to look back at Saturday’s loss as his worst performance of the season, head coach Steve Sarkisian was quick to remind Manning and Texas not to put too much stock in the first chapter of what the Longhorns expect to be a memorable season.

“For Arch, the expectations were out of control on the outside,” he said. “But I’d say let’s finish the book before we judge it. This is one chapter, and we’ve got a long season to go play.”

–Field Level Media

Texas quarterback Arch Manning answers questions during media day for the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl in Atlanta on Monday, Dec. 30, 2024.

Archie Manning’s comments shift 2026 No. 1 pick odds market

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Grandpa Archie knows best?

At the least, the NFL draft futures market trusts the elder Manning has some insight when it comes to the pro timetable of his grandson and Texas quarterback Arch Manning.

Previously the prevailing favorite to be drafted first in the 2026 NFL Draft, odds shifted following the Texas Monthly interview with family patriarch Archie Manning during which he declared Arch Manning, a third-year sophomore, will not be a one-and-done starter.

“Arch isn’t going to do that. He’ll be at Texas,” Archie Manning said.

Archie Manning was the No. 2 pick in the 1971 draft out of Ole Miss. Two of his sons, Peyton and Eli, were drafted No. 1 overall.

But oddsmakers are buying the idea Arch Manning will stay at Texas through the 2026 season. He’s entering his first year as the Longhorns’ starter, replacing Quinn Ewers, and viewed as a Heisman Trophy frontrunner as he leads a loaded Texas squad that just earned its first preseason No. 1 ranking in the Associated Press poll.

FanDuel odds set Arch Manning as the Heisman favorite at +700, ahead of Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik (+900) and LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (+900).

Nussmeier jumped to the favorite spot in No. 1 pick futures for 2026 after Archie Manning’s comments.

Nussmeier (+340), Klubnik (+380), South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers (+380) and Penn State quarterback Drew Allar (+470) are now ahead of
Arch Manning (+850) at FanDuel.

–Field Level Media

Jul 15, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning answers questions from the media during SEC Media Days at Omni Atlanta Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images

Archie Manning: Grandson Arch not a guarantee for 2026 draft

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Archie Manning doesn’t expect the 2025 season to be the last rodeo for grandson Arch Manning in a Texas football uniform.

A redshirt sophomore, Arch will take the reins of the Longhorns when they open their season Aug. 30 at Ohio State, succeeding Quinn Ewers at the starter. And in an interview with Texas Monthly for a lengthy feature story on Arch, the family patriarch predicted his namesake won’t be a one-and-done starter and jump into the 2026 NFL Draft.

“Arch isn’t going to do that. He’ll be at Texas,” Archie Manning said.

Some NFL teams likely already have put Arch, 21, at the top of their draft boards. After the 2025 season, he’ll be draft-eligible.

Grandpa Archie watched as two of his sons, Peyton and Eli, were No. 1 overall draft picks. He was a No. 2 selection himself in 1971 out of Ole Miss. But with just limited appearances at Texas in a backup role to Ewers, Arch hasn’t earned all the hype yet, his grandfather said.

“People are saying he’s a Heisman candidate,” Archie said. “You’re not a Heisman Trophy candidate when you haven’t played but three games. It’s crazy.”

Arch completed 67.8 percent of his passes for 939 yards with nine touchdowns and two interceptions as he backed up Ewers last season. He added 108 yards and four touchdowns on the ground.

He also can afford to stay in school and wait for his NFL paycheck. On3 estimates Arch Manning’s name, image and likeness valuation at $6.8 million.

–Field Level Media