Undoubtedly, Arch Manning wrapped up his 2025 season with a big bang. Fresh off a Citrus Bowl win, the young signal caller proved the critics wrong as he brought home the MVP honor. Now heading towards the new year celebrations, he is already sure of his future plans.

Arch is yet to make significant progress on his development under the watchful eyes of HC Steve Sarkisian. To further develop his skill set, he will return to Austin next season, pausing his Draft plans. His dad, Cooper Manning, confirmed to ESPN.

“Arch is playing football at Texas next year,” he shared on December 16.

With that settled, let’s move on to when Arch Manning will declare for the Draft.

Arch Manning’s Current Draft Status: Will He Declare for the 2026 NFL Draft?

No. Arch Manning will not declare for the 2026 NFL Draft. Although the preseason had hailed him as the No.1 2026 Draft prospect, his inconsistent performance made for a grim picture.

After throwing 24 touchdowns for 2,942 yards and another eight scores, Manning led his program to a 10-3 record. However, seven interceptions weigh heavily on his resume. Earlier in the season, he buckled under immense pressure. Part of the blame was also attributed to the O-line, which gave up 23 sacks. However, over the weeks, his footwork improved, leading to a 6-1 record during the later stretch of the season.

Adding onto that progress, the redshirt sophomore has decided to play another year before giving a shot at the Draft.

However, according to NFL insiders, Manning has a strong chance of making it big in the 2027 NFL Draft.

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Why Arch Manning Is Expected to Return to Texas for the 2026 Season

Arch Manning’s 2025 season wrapped up on a good note with a 10-3 record (bowl game included), but his early inconsistent performances put a dent in his Draft prospects. Now, determined to work further on his skill set, the New Orleans native will be returning to Texas for the 2026 season.

“I felt like I developed a lot this year, especially towards the back half, and I want to keep it going,” Manning said, according to On3. “There’s no reason to leave. I feel like I got a lot more football left to play, and excited to still be a part of this team.”

Head coach Steve Sarkisian shares similar views that another collegiate season would work wonders for his NFL prospects.

“He’s (Arch) a young man who’s gotten better as the season’s gone on, and not only physically, but mentally, maturity-wise,” Sarkisian told ESPN.

“I would think he’s going to want another year of that growth to put himself in position for hopefully a long career in the NFL. And he’s got some unfinished business of what he came here to do and what he came here to accomplish.”

Arch Manning’s Draft Eligibility: When Can He Actually Enter the NFL Draft?

Currently, Arch Manning has two more years of eligibility remaining. However, if there’s one thing that NFL scouts, Steve Sarkisian, and Arch himself agree on, it’s that the young signal caller needs to develop more before heading towards the Draft. And that one additional year can bring about more positive results, as the NFL Insiders say.

Fox Sports’ Ralph Vacchiano talked with NFL scouts, gauging the pro league’s interest in Steve Sarkisian’s prized QB. What he found might surprise a few, but the Manning faithfuls already knew it.

“He might still go No. 1 [overall],” one college area scout told Vacchiano. “All the tools are there, even if the performance was erratic. He might need a little time to grow into himself as a player. But he’s got the size (6-foot-4, 219 pounds), the arm, the intangibles, and the kid had some great games.

“I think I’d still feel better about his future than anyone else in this year’s class.”

Early in the season, critics may have scoffed at him, but there’s no denying that he has consistently proved his abilities during the later stretch of the season. It is not unlikely that Manning might go as the No. 1 Draft prospect again next season.