Arch Manning boosts NFL Draft stock as Texas upsets Texas A&M

Don't look now, but Arch Manning might be back.

There was a lot more hype surrounding Manning entering this season than in recent weeks, as he initially failed to live up to the expectations that came with inheriting the starting role for the Texas Longhorns this year. Now, any draft projections showing him being selected at all in the 2026 NFL Draft are pointing to him being a late Day 3 pick, which means he'll likely be sticking around the collegiate level and cashing some more NIL checks next fall.

But it's never too early to boost your stock for a draft that's over a year late, or even make a late push at establishing yourself as a strong selection in the upcoming draft. And that is exactly what it appears the nephew of NFL legends Eli and Peyton Manning might be doing.

Manning put those keeping an eye on his draft stock on notice in a big way during a primetime Friday night rivalry showdown between Texas and Texas A&M, as he went 14-of-29 through the air for 179 yards and one touchdown and added 53 yards and one touchdown rushing the ball as he led the Longhorns to a 27-17 upset over the undefeated Aggies, who entered the game ranked No. 3 nationally. For many, it was a sign that Manning is finally elevating his game. But he's been doing so for a few weeks now.

Through Manning's first seven games this season, he threw for 1,449 yards, 12 touchdowns, and five interceptions. In the five games since, he's surpassed his total yardage from those first seven contests (1,493 yards) while throwing 12 more touchdowns but just two interceptions. In the past two weeks, he's managed to account for over 600 all-purpose offensive yards and seven total offensive touchdowns while committing no turnovers.

So if you had begun to write Manning off as a future NFL talent, you should re-evaluate. He might not be the top pick in 2026, but he also will likely have a future playing on Sundays – it just took him some time to adjust.

This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: Arch Manning boosts NFL Draft stock as Texas upsets Texas A&M