Manning has a decent amount of experience under his belt, already having two starts last season against Louisiana-Monroe and Mississippi State while stepping in for injured Quinn Ewers. He threw for a combined 583 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions on 41 of 60 passing (68%). He added another 29 yards rushing and a score.

Before Arch Manning even takes his first snap as the Texas Longhorns’ starting quarterback this season, fans, draftniks and NFL scouts alike are wondering whether he’ll declare for the 2026 NFL Draft.

Entering the season as the top-ranked team typically does not bode well in the national championship race. Not since Alabama hoisted the trophy in 2017 has the preseason No. 1 squad won it all. Before that, USC in 2004 was the most recent team to deliver on expectations. Those are the only two teams this century to accomplish the feat.