The 2026 NFL Draft is far away, and there's a better chance of Texas quarterback Arch Manning passing on the entering the class than not. Despite that, Manning's name will be in headlines as much as, if not more than, Shedeur Sanders' was over the last two years.

He's a great story to cover, and fans have spoken that any content about Manning will hit for us media folks. But real draft lovers and evaluators will stay objective of his future outlook regardless of our excitement for his storylines.

It seems unfathomable Manning won't be a great NFL quarterback, given his bloodline. The nephew of Peyton and Eli Manning, Arch is destined to be an NFL star. It's just a matter of when and how good he'll become.

Damian Parson of Bleacher Report ranked Manning No. 2 in the 2026 class behind new Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza. Mendoza, who was at Cal last year, has been a rising name despite being an unknown to much of the country in 2024. 

Here's what Parson wrote about Manning.

"Manning is the most anticipated player to watch in 2025. Despite the famous last name, he flashed NFL potential and skills during his in game reps last season.

Manning displays good arm talent to distribute the ball to his receivers quickly. He works well off RPO actions and reads second-level defenders effectively before driving the slant and glance routes. 

Manning is accurate at every level of the defense and field. He showcased good anticipation for an inexperienced player. Manning throws the ball with pace and touch for explosive plays down the field.

Manning differs from his uncles, Eli and Peyton, due to his athleticism. He is a running threat out of the backfield. Manning's athleticism aids in creating when protection breaks down. He puts pressure on opposing defenses because of the threat of his legs making big plays down the field.

Inexperience is the first thing he needs to improve. He has not thrown 100 passes in his career. Despite the positives on film, the small sample size leaves plenty of questions. The level of competition he faced during his starts last season was not a great gauge for future success. 

As the starter this season, he will face the entire gauntlet for Texas' schedule. As a result of limited playing time, his post-snap recognition needs to improve. He also has to decrease the time he holds the football inside the pocket."

Manning looked the part as he completed 67.8% of his 90 throws for 939 yards, nine touchdowns, and two interceptions. He added 108 yards and four scores on the ground. It also helps when Sarkisian has added such encouraging statements on Manning.

“Now that we’ve kind of embarked on the 2025 season, I just continue to see a guy that’s taken it and is really trying to really go for it,” Sarkisian said. “He just doesn’t want to leave any stone unturned. He’s working at his craft. He’s working so hard in the offseason conditioning runs. 

"He’s now setting up those voluntary throwing sessions with the receivers during the week or on the weekend. He’s breaking the team down. All those natural things that a quarterback has to do to instill belief in his teammates, to instill belief in the staff, he’s doing it.”