Going into the college football season, Arch Manning was considered by many to be the top quarterback in all of football. Many should've been concerned about his lack of starting experience going into the campaign, but many ignored his warning signs because of his last name. He came from a remarkable football lineage, with his grandfather being Archie Manning and his uncles Peyton and Eli Manning.
He has all the tools you love in a potential franchise quarterback.
The Pittsburgh Steelers remain scouting almost every signal-caller who could potentially become available in the 2026 NFL Draft. Manning was expected to be the top pick when the draft arrived in April, but things have taken a turn for the worse. He hasn’t lived up to the hype, and the Longhorns program has fallen from being one of the top-ranked teams in the country to being unranked.
Manning has shown massive problems in his game against tough college competition. Many have now brought up concerns about his prior games leading up to this, and why he hasn't panned out thus far at Texas. If the season ended today, it would be wise for Manning to remain in the collegiate ranks and improve his game before he tries his hand at jumping into the NFL.
Pittsburgh Steelers QB draft prospect Arch Manning might be off their list of options
Through five games this season, Manning has led the Longhorns to three victories, but they have also suffered two losses. Both of those defeats have come against their best opponents thus far, Ohio State and Florida. Facing the Buckeyes was his first significant test as a quarterback, and he was unable to generate much offense. That wouldn't bode well if he were wearing a Steelers uniform.
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While there are plenty of intriguing traits that come with Manning as a prospect, you have to be concerned about the stage being too much. If he had handled the entire situation promptly and delivered outstanding numbers this season, he would have been crowned as 'the next big thing,' but that didn’t happen.
Instead, all the hype and pressure surrounding him have caused him to retreat and crumble under the spotlight.
Pittsburgh remains in the hunt for a potential franchise quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft, but it doesn't appear Manning will be their choice. In both of his losses this year, he has been producing ugly tape. Something seems off with him and Texas during this campaign, and it could lead to ugly results. The Longhorns thought this would be their year, but it might lead to a divorce.
The draft might no longer be in Manning's sights, barring an insane turnaround, but he shouldn't feel safe in Texas. The Longhorns need to turn this around quickly, and if Manning doesn't show enough the rest of this season, he might transfer elsewhere. Texas is investing a significant amount in him through NIL deals, and it could backfire on the young quarterback before long.