Arch Manning is the quarterback of the top-ranked team in America, but that hasn't silenced the skeptics. In fact, the noise is getting louder, and it's coming from some heavyweight voices.
Manning's 2025 numbers look solid on paper: 3,163 passing yards, 399 rushing yards, and 36 total touchdowns. There were flashes of brilliance that made NFL scouts drool. But the consistency and the signature moments? Those have been harder to find. Through four games this season, he's completed 63.5% of his passes for 862 yards, seven touchdowns, and three interceptions. Efficient? Yes. Electrifying? Not quite.
That's exactly why former NFL quarterback and Heisman winner Robert Griffin III went on "The Herd" this Tuesday and made a blunt case for Manning to return to Austin in 2027. "I believe he should come back for another year," Griffin said. "When guys are ready to go to the NFL, playing college football looks easy for them. For myself when I came out, when Andrew Luck came out, it looked easy in our last years. It doesn't look easy for Arch yet."
Griffin isn't alone. Former ESPN analyst Todd McShay raised the possibility before the 2026 season even kicked off, hinting that the Manning family might not view this as a farewell tour. "I don't even know that the Mannings are looking at this as the swan song at Texas," McShay said. "There's a long history of Manning sticking around that extra year that people didn't think they were going to stick around until they're right and they feel like they're ready. I won't be surprised at all if he's in the 2028 draft."
The pressure isn't just about draft stock. It's about legacy. The Manning name carries weight, and Arch hasn't yet delivered the kind of season that makes scouts forget his last name and focus solely on his tape. He's been good in wins over Ohio State and Tennessee, but the offense has also shown cracks, including some questionable penalties that had fans calling out the coaching staff's excuses. And even in victory, there were off-field distractions, like the bathroom celebration apology that briefly stole headlines.
Still, Manning's situation is far from dire. If he declares for the 2027 draft, teams will line up based on his age, arm talent, and that famous bloodline. But the growing chorus suggests that another year in college could elevate him from intriguing prospect to can't-miss franchise quarterback.
For now, Manning's focus remains on winning a national title with Texas. But the clock is ticking, and the calls for him to stay in school are only getting louder.
