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3w ago

Arch Manning Stays at Texas as Portal Misses Heighten Pressure on Sarkisian

Despite top-prospect evaluations, Texas faces a tight transfer-portal deadline to surround him with help.

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Arch Manning #16 of the Texas Longhorns warms up prior to a game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas.
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - AUGUST 30: Jayden Woods #15 of the Florida Gators looks on during the first half of a game against the Long Island Sharks at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on August 30, 2025 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 31: Arch Manning #16 of the Texas Longhorns runs the ball in the second quarter of the 2025 Cheez-It Citrus Bowl between the Texas Longhorns and Michigan Wolverines at Camping World Stadium on December 31, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Dustin Markland/Getty Images)

Overview

  • Cooper Manning confirmed in December that Arch will return for the 2026 season, positioning him for the 2027 NFL Draft.
  • ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky said Manning would be the runaway No. 1 pick if he had entered the 2026 draft, even naming the Raiders as the team that would take him first.
  • Manning’s first full season as starter ended at 10–3 with a Citrus Bowl win over Michigan, posting 3,163 passing yards, 26 TDs, 7 INTs and 399 rushing yards as Wolverines coaches praised his athleticism.
  • Texas has stumbled early in the portal, with EDGE Jayden Woods withdrawing to re-sign at Florida and five-star receiver Jaime Ffrench entering the portal, as the window closes January 16.
  • Scrutiny of Steve Sarkisian has intensified with analysts questioning performance relative to talent and opinion pieces urging Manning to reconsider if roster attrition continues.