Arch Manning is a first-time preseason mention on the award watch-list that honors his grandfather and uncles.
Arch Manning has added another preseason watch-list nomination to his offseason recognition .... and this one is a familiar one.
The Texas Longhorns senior was named to the Manning Award watch-list. This is the first time Arch has been mentioned for the award that pays homage to his grandfather Archie and uncles Peyton and Eli.
Manning was named among the 40 top quarterbacks in college football. He could become the third Longhorn in program history to receive the award, after Vince Young (2005) and Colt McCoy (2009).
Manning was also recognized on for the award watch-lists of the Davey O'Brien Award, Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, Walter Camp National Player of the Year Award and the Maxwell Award.
"This watch list showcases many of the outstanding quarterbacks who will define the 2026 college football season, and we're proud that the Allstate Sugar Bowl continues to partner with the Manning family in recognizing excellence at the game's most important position, said Jeff Hundley, the chief executive officer of the award's founder, the Allstate Sugar Bowl.
"We look forward to watching these young men compete throughout the season and to seeing who rises to the occasion when the stakes are highest."
Arch Manning's 2025 Season in Review
After a subpar start to a season filled with dramatic anticipation, Manning finished his first season as the Longhorns' full-time starter very strong, capped by a Most Outstanding Player award in a Cheez-It Citrus Bowl win over Michigan.
Manning completed 248 passes on 404 attempts for 3,163 yards and 26 touchdowns last season. He added 399 yards and 10 more scores on the ground.
Against the Wolverines, Manning accounted for four total touchdowns and 376 yards from scrimmage.
Manning was one of 14 finalists for the award last season and lands on the preseason watch-list for 2026 alongside eight other QBs in the SEC.
Steve Sarkisian 'Pumped' for Manning in 2026
With a potential opportunity to enter the 2027 NFL Draft on the horizon, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian has been proud of Manning's preseason momentum.
"He's had a great camp. I'm pumped about it," Sarkisian said. "I think his rapport with Ryan [Wingo], Cam [Coleman] and Emmett [Mosley V] is really high. I think his rapport with our running backs is really high. Those guys are good players.
"I'm very excited, excited for him. I think he's gonna play really well."
