After a rocky start and strong finish in 2025, Arch Manning is already drawing Heisman buzz for 2026.
The Heisman Trophy may have just been handed to Indiana's Fernando Mendoza, but the college football world is already eyeing 2026 ... and Arch Manning is back in the spotlight.
Texas' sophomore quarterback is once again being labeled as a top-tier Heisman contender heading into next season.
CBS Sports' David Cobb listed Manning at the top of his early 2026 Heisman shortlist, praising the Longhorns QB for finishing the 2025 season on fire.
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"Manning ended the 2025 season trending in the right direction," Cobb wrote. "He totaled 15 touchdowns as a passer and runner with just two interceptions over the Longhorns' final five regular-season games."
Those numbers weren't just window dressing.
Manning's clutch performances helped Texas notch three wins over top-10 opponents down the stretch, an impressive feat that silenced critics who questioned his early-season struggles.
After a rocky 3-2 start and a tough loss to Florida, Manning regrouped, evolved, and showed flashes of the elite quarterback many expected when he arrived in Austin.
He finished the year completing 227-of-370 passes for 2,942 yards, 24 touchdowns, and seven interceptions, while also rushing for 244 yards and eight scores.
Those stats become even more impressive when considering the noise and pressure surrounding Manning from day one.
The Manning name carries weight, and in 2025, that burden seemed heavy at first. But Arch didn't fold. He adjusted. Then he delivered.
Now, with a full season under his belt and a more seasoned Texas team around him, Manning enters 2026 with the potential to not just live up to the hype ... but to surpass it.
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Of course, this isn't the first time Manning's name has been linked to Heisman talk. He was a trendy pick last preseason, and some went as far as declaring him a surefire Heisman finalist before he even took a collegiate snap.
That early noise created unrealistic expectations. But this time around, the buzz feels earned.
With the Longhorns looking to make a serious SEC title run in 2026, Manning's development will be key. And if his late-season form holds, he might just be holding college football's most iconic trophy this time next year.