Alright, so ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. just dropped a bomb about Arch Manning’s NFL draft future, and if you thought the dude was a lock for a top pick, you need to hear this. Kiper is straight-up saying Manning needs to go back to college for another year before even *thinking* about the pros. And if he *does* come out? Kiper’s demanding a *three-year* backup plan, like the old Green Bay Packers model with Jordan Love and Aaron Rodgers. Not one, not two, but *three* years riding the pine. Wild stuff for a guy with that name.
Arch Manning’s College Season Is A Roller Coaster Of Nope
Look, the name Arch Manning carries a ton of weight thanks to Peyton and Eli, and he’s been the starting quarterback for Texas, but his 2026 season has been an absolute mess. Kiper sees it, everyone sees it. We’re talking “up and down all season.” Yeah, he pulled off a thrilling fourth-quarter comeback against Ohio State early on, but let’s be real, he was straight-up struggling for most of that game before the heroics. It didn’t get better. He tossed an interception without a single touchdown against Tennessee. Then, against rival Oklahoma, he threw two picks that cost Texas big time: one went back for a touchdown, and the other set up the Sooners’ game-winning field goal in the final minute. Ouch.
The microscope was on him big-time for the Saturday game against Florida, and what happened? A 27-24 loss where he accounted for just one measly touchdown. It’s gotten so rough that Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian had to tell reporters on Monday that Manning is *still* the starter. Why? Because ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported redshirt freshman KJ Lacey Jr. was already getting “an uptick in first-team quarterback reps” in practice. That’s not a good sign for your starting QB, man! It means the coach might be ready to pull the plug if the struggles keep coming.
Mel Kiper Jr. Thinks Manning Needs A Full Three-Year Reset
This is where Kiper’s take gets super spicy. Manning’s family name and playing at Texas *should* have had him in the conversation for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2027 NFL draft if he’d dominated this season. Instead? Kiper, one of the most prominent draft experts out there, thinks Arch should hit pause on the NFL dream and just go back to school. He’s not messing around either. If Manning *does* come out for the draft, Kiper says it’s gotta be the Jordan Love/Aaron Rodgers blueprint. That means sitting behind an established veteran for three years. He even points out Patrick Mahomes sat for just one year, but for Arch? Kiper is explicit: “For Arch, I think it’s three years.” That’s a massive commitment, right? It means teams picking late in the first round with an already solid QB are the only ones who should even consider him. It’s a shocking call, but it’s based on what we’ve seen on the field.
So, what’s next for Arch Manning? He’s at a crossroads, man. Does he listen to one of the biggest voices in draft analysis and head back to Texas to try and turn things around? Or does he declare for the NFL draft, knowing full well that an expert like Kiper believes he needs to be a backup for *three whole years*? This isn’t just about his draft stock; it’s about his entire NFL career trajectory. He’s got to make a huge decision that could redefine his path.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
Leave a Reply