Arch Manning’s future with the Texas Longhorns has become a topic of discussion after the loss to the Oklahoma Sooners on Saturday.
Manning threw two fourth-quarter interceptions in the 27-24 loss to Oklahoma, including a pick-six and another interception with 19 seconds remaining.
Against that backdrop, ESPN’s Pete Thamel suggested in Monday’s episode of the “College Gameday Podcast” that a return to college in 2027 shouldn’t be entirely ruled out.
Thamel acknowledged that NFL evaluators have not dramatically lowered their opinion of Manning.
“The NFL really hasn’t flinched on Arch,” Thamel said. “The NFL, they do not think about him as the ninth-best quarterback in the SEC or wherever he may lie statistically this week. They still really like him.”
Thamel pointed to Manning’s physical ability and specific high-level throws as reasons NFL evaluators remain interested in the quarterback.
“They see that throw to Cam Coleman in the back of the endzone, which was unbelievable,” Thamel said. “They see that; they also see his physical gifts. It’s not maybe as dire in the evaluation as it has been pedestrian in the performance.”
The question, according to Thamel, is whether Manning is ready to enter the NFL after this season.
“Everyone assumed he would go out after this year, right?” Thamel said. “Like, that was just kind of conventional thinking. Do you come back to college for one more year? Like is that, is that topic on the table here?”
SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN
Manning finished Saturday 19 of 31 for 260 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions. Discussing his first pick, he acknowledged the mistake.
“I was trying to extend a play and throw it to Cam and missed high,” Manning said. “Can’t do that and give them the lead.”
Texas fell to 4-1 overall and 1-1 in SEC play with the loss after entering the weekend ranked No. 1. The No. 7 Longhorns will host the Florida Gators on Saturday at noon ET.
