Steve Sarkisian can’t catch a break. Just when his QB1 dilemma seemed to have been solved with Quinn Ewers declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft, unexpected news shook the world of the Texas Longhorns head coach, who could also lose his star backup, Arch Manning.
The season was not easy for Ewers and Sarkisian. The young quarterback had very pronounced ups and downs, which more than once put Texas’ hopes of reaching the College Football Playoff in suspense. The fans constantly demanded that the head coach sit Ewers and put Manning under center, but this never happened.
Things reached a breaking point at the Cotton Bowl when Ewers’ mistakes cost the Longhorns a berth in the championship game. After the loss, Ewers decided to forgo his optional final year in the NCAA to try his luck in the NFL. The problem for Sarkisian is that Manning could soon follow.
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Will Arch Manning declare for the NFL?
According to NFL Rookie Watch insiders, “Arch Manning’s time as the QB1 at Texas could reportedly be ‘cut short’ as multiple NFL scouts reportedly believe Manning has Top-5 pick potential in the 2026 NFL Draft.”
The report claims that a strong first season for Manning as the Longhorns’ QB1 would boost his draft stock enough to declare for 2026. “Many NFL teams have reportedly had Manning as a ‘future target of interest’ since he was a recruit,” NFL Rookie Watch said.
NFL rules specify that three years must pass from high school for a player to declare for the draft. The younger Manning graduated from Isidore Newman High School in 2022, so 2025 would be his third year in college football, meaning he meets the requirement.
What Will happen to Sarkisian?
Many media and fans blame Sarkisian for Texas’ debacle. His indomitable support of Ewers, even in the worst moments, makes him the primary target of criticism, especially after the loss to Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl.
The Longhorns head coach is taking a break after the complex 2024 season and has not announced his plans. Rumors claim that several NFL teams are interested in his services, leading some analysts to speculate that he could be waiting to make the jump to the NFL along with Manning in 2026.
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