Arch Manning’s career is officially at a crossroads right now, with four potential paths laid out for him. What’s truly wild is that three of those options were straight-up unthinkable when the highest-rated prospect in the Class of 2023 first rolled into Austin. The guy has been putting up some truly poor performances for a Texas team that’s just not getting it done, yet somehow, Option A,a distinct possibility,still has him slated for the first round of the 2027 NFL Draft.
The First-Round Dream: Still Alive Despite the Chaos?
Even with all the issues, Manning is still widely seen as a potential first-round pick for the 2027 NFL Draft. Just last week, he snagged the No. 21 spot on Mike Renner’s Big Board for 2027. Yeah, that was before another rough outing in their Week 7 loss to Florida, but it’s not some one-off. Other respected draft analysts are putting Manning in the same ballpark this month, even as he looks like he’s actually regressing under Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian. It really makes you wonder if it’s that simple: his struggles are all on the coach and the scheme. You can’t let Manning totally off the hook for all the problems that have clouded his potential, but NFL scouts are pulling up that increasingly sketchy film and still seeing the big frame, the big arm, legit athleticism, and, of course, that special last name. They just imagine better outcomes if he gets some better development.
If Manning can somehow get things back on track down the stretch, a 5-1 finish for Texas could actually get them into the College Football Playoff at 9-3, especially after they padded their resume with those huge early-season wins over Ohio State and on the road at Tennessee. Maybe having backup KJ Lacey start getting more first-team reps will light a fire under Manning, giving him that real job pressure he hasn’t felt since taking over the starting gig from Quinn Ewers after the 2024 season. If that happens, what everyone once saw as a done deal,Manning hearing his name called on Day 1 of the NFL Draft after a four-year college career,could still become a reality.
Texas Trouble: Coaching Sticking Points and the Looming Decision
But what happens if Manning keeps struggling, and his stock just keeps slipping? That’s when the other three potential paths become very real. Option B is just coming back to Texas in 2027. Honestly, the idea of running it back with Manning and the exact same offensive staff must sound totally unappealing to a fan base that’s fuming after consecutive losses to unranked opponents. However, if Sarkisian finally shakes up his staff and brings in some new voices for Manning, then maybe, just maybe, that option becomes more plausible. Sarkisian has been fiercely loyal to offensive coordinator Kyle Flood and quarterbacks coach A.J. Milwee throughout his six seasons on the job, even after their similar collective failures developing Ewers. It’s a mess, plain and simple.
Right now, the ball is truly in Arch Manning’s court, but it’s also a huge decision point for the Texas coaching staff. Can they fix what’s broken before it completely derails a generational talent’s potential NFL career? We’ll be watching to see how Manning responds to the pressure and what, if any, changes Sarkisian is willing to make to keep that first-round dream alive.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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