Latest news with #Heisman-level
Time of India
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
NFL dreams on pause? Arch Manning's surprising 2026 Draft decision could shake up NFL team strategies and college football rankings
Arch Manning reportedly snubs early NFL entry (Getty Images) Arch Manning has the name, the pedigree, and now, the opportunity. As he prepares to take over the reins as Texas Longhorns' starting quarterback following Quinn Ewers' departure to the NFL, the spotlight has never been brighter. Yet, for all the anticipation surrounding his potential, don't expect a quick leap to the pros. According to those close to the situation, Manning currently has 'no plans' to enter the 2026 NFL Draft, signaling a maturity beyond his years. Arch Manning reportedly wants more college time, sparking huge reactions over 2026 NFL Draft snub For fans and NFL scouts alike, that might come as a surprise. A source familiar with Manning's decision-making even stated they'd be 'stunned' if he declared early—unless he somehow pulls off a Heisman-level campaign this season. That possibility isn't off the table, but Manning doesn't seem to be chasing awards or headlines. His heart remains firmly planted in Austin. 'There's nowhere else I want to be,' Manning shared in an earlier interview. 'I want to be at Texas. I got friends here. Love this place. So I want to be the quarterback of the University of Texas. Sometimes it's worth the wait.' Those words don't just speak of loyalty; they reflect a player aware of both the expectations and the weight of the Manning legacy. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Top 25 Most Beautiful Women In The World Articles Vally Undo And if early assessments are to be trusted, he's more than capable of carving his own path. One NFL scout remarked, 'He has pretty similar arm talent, but the factor that separates him is his athleticism. Neither Eli nor Peyton had what he has when it comes to that.' The same scout even noted that Arch could be 'a better prospect' than both of his legendary uncles—a bold claim, but one grounded in what he's shown during practices and scrimmages. Still, national pundits like CBS Sports' Ryan Wilson remain grounded in their analysis. While Wilson acknowledges Manning's elite potential—'And, yes, Arch Manning is QB1 in the 2026 class'—he also cautions against overhyping. Instead, he believes Manning will stay in Austin through at least 2026, writing, 'History suggests he may not be in a rush to leave college for the NFL.' That timeline is music to the ears of Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian. With Manning under center for potentially two or more seasons, the Longhorns not only enjoy stability but also boast one of the nation's most promising quarterback situations. Coming off a College Football Playoff semifinal appearance, Texas is poised to contend, and Manning's development could be the final piece of the championship puzzle. Meanwhile, analysts are already projecting the hypothetical aftermath. If Manning does surprise and declare for the 2026 Draft, he's the undisputed No. 1 quarterback. But should he stay, LSU's Garrett Nussmeier is expected to take the top QB spot in that class, according to Wilson's current mock. For now, though, all signs point to a patient ascent. Arch Manning isn't just trying to live up to his last name—he's carving out his own journey, on his own terms. And that journey, at least for the foreseeable future, is happening in burnt orange. Also Read: Is Xavier Legette's steamy kiss with GloRilla a PR stunt or a real love story in the making?
Fox Sports
25-04-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
'It's not even a debate': Books say Arch Manning will be favored at No. 1 in 2026
With the first-round dust finally settled after day one of the 2025 NFL Draft, we are only 364 days away from the 2026 episode in Pittsburgh. I would love to strum up a hot take about next year's No. 1 overall pick, but it's shaping up to be one of the most obvious slam dunks of all-time. It's almost a certainty there will be a late-season tank-off next year among the league's worst teams for the gunslinger with the Hall of Fame last name. That player, of course, is Arch Manning. The Texas sophomore is unquestionably the top overall prospect, despite only throwing 95 passes and nine touchdowns at the collegiate level. Scouts have salivated over Peyton and Eli's nephew for years, and he'll finally get to show what he's made of as Steve Sarkisian's starter this coming fall. "It's not even a debate," one professional sports bettor told FOX Sports. "You're going to see a massive price on Arch when the market goes up. "Sportsbooks aren't stupid. They'll bloat the price and make you lay thousands to win a hundred. If I worked at DraftKings or FanDuel, I would open him -3000 to go first. There's no reason to give it away at anything less. "He's the guy if he comes out." I can only imagine the price if everything goes to plan down in Austin. Assuming Manning lives up to the hype and plays anywhere near a Heisman-level quarterback, he'll be astronomically expensive come mid-March when draft betting generally starts to heat up among the public. Remember, former No. 1 overall picks like Joe Burrow, Trevor Lawrence and Caleb Williams were being offered at -10000 or higher about a month before their respective drafts. And Cam Ward reached those levels in early April. Heisman Trophy odds via BetOnline Arch Manning: +600 (bet $10 to win $60 total)Grant Nussmeier: +1000 (bet $10 to win $110 total)Jeremiah Smith: +1000 (bet $10 to win $110 total)Cade Klubnik: +1200 (bet $10 to win $130 total)Julian Sayin: +1200 (bet $10 to win $130 total)LaNorris Sellers: +1600 (bet $10 to win $170 total) Nico Iamaleava: +1600 (bet $10 to win $170 total) I wrote a story three summers ago about Manning's gambling impact on Texas football and spoke to a slew of Las Vegas betting buddies for that story. The common theme was that Manning's arrival would be a magnet for surrounding talent. "[Arch's signing] speaks to the quality of recruits they're bringing in and the program being on the right track," college football wizard and former Circa Sports sportsbook director Matt Metcalf told me way back in July 2022. "I would be surprised if Sarkisian doesn't have success there, as he's a great offensive guy, and it shouldn't be difficult to get the pieces there." It should surprise nobody that Texas is one of the favorites (along with Ohio State) to win next year's College Football Playoff. The Horns are as low as +450 at the Westgate SuperBook and as high as +650 at FanDuel. And after reaching the national semifinals a season ago, expectations will be even higher with the former Isidore Newman superstar under center. Manning headlines a star-studded quarterback class that could also see LSU's Garrett Nussmeier, Penn State's Drew Allar and Miami's Carson Beck go in the first round next year. Only two quarterbacks — Ward and Jaxson Dart — were selected on Thursday night. Stay tuned. Sam Panayotovich is a sports betting analyst for FOX Sports and the BetMGM Network. He previously worked for WGN Radio, NBC Sports and VSiN. Follow him on Twitter @spshoot. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! recommended Get more from National Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more in this topic
USA Today
15-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Electric 2026 3-star QB is predicted to land with Texas A&M
Electric 2026 3-star QB is predicted to land with Texas A&M Texas A&M's 2026 recruiting class is poised to see its newest addition in the coming weeks, as consensus three-star quarterback Legend Bey, who recently visited Texas A&M this month, has now received a prediction to land with the Aggies after head coach Mike Elko offered the undersized signal caller on March 7. Bey is being recruited as an athlete but intends to continue playing quarterback at the next level. He possesses the necessary arm strength to push the ball down the field. Still, it's his legs that have made him one of the top-performing quarterbacks in the cycle. He is coming off his elite 2024 junior season after rushing for 1,912 yards and 41 touchdowns at North Forney (TX) High School. So far, Bey has begun to receive the attention he deserves, as Notre Dame is now a legitimate contender for his talents. However, after his recent visit to College Station, Mike Elko, and OC Collin Klein are all in on making Bey " the man" at Texas A&M, as current starting quarterback Marcel Reed possesses similar athleticism and playmaking ability. While Bey's 1,412 passing yards and three touchdowns don't jump off the page, the film shows a player who isn't afraid to make plays through the air when needed. Like Marcel Reed, Bey will enter the collegiate ranks as a wildcat quarterback who could become a Heisman-level talent. On Tuesday, On3 recruiting analyst Steve Wiltfong predicted that Texas A&M will land a commitment from Legend Bey. Still, as I stated earlier, Notre Dame is also a top competitor moving forward. Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.
