Arch Manning 'Looks More Like a Player Who Could' Skip 2027 NFL Draft, Return to Texas, Says Brugler

Arch Manning's performance through four games of his second season starting for Texas has at least one analyst wondering if he will be back for a third.

The Athletic's Dane Brugler noted Saturday "it is still very early, and a lot can change over the next three months."

"Through four games, however, Manning looks more like a player who could go back to school for a fifth season rather than be taken No. 1 overall in April," Brugler reported.

B/R NFL scouts ranked Manning on their latest 2027 NFL Draft Big Board as the No. 17 overall prospect and No. 4 quarterback behind Miami's Darian Mensah, Oregon's Dante Moore and Ole Miss' Trinidad Chambliss.

Brugler's report followed a 20-17 win over Tennessee in which Texas leaned on star pass rusher Colin Simmons tying a single-game program record with five sacks to make up for struggles from the Volunteers' offense.

Manning, who went into this season looking to take a step forward from an inconsistent first starting campaign, threw an interception and went three-and-out on six of 12 offensive drives.

Manning has completed 63.5 percent of his passes for 862 yards with seven touchdowns and three picks while taking 10 sacks during the Longhorns' 4-0 start to the season.

He has at times seemingly struggled to operate Steve Sarkisian's offense, which he has been working since his first season as backup to Quinn Ewers in 2023.

ESPN's Jordan Reid noted after the game Manning "locks onto targets and doesn't always read" defensive setups like the Tennessee double coverage he threw into for Saturday's second-quarter interception.

"Being that this is Year 4 in Sark's offense, you'd hope the developmental curve and IQ situations would be further along, but they just aren't early on in the season," Reid reported.

Multiple teams are likely to be heading into the 2027 NFL draft with immediate needs at quarterback, including the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns, New York Jets, Indianapolis Colts, Arizona Cardinals and Miami Dolphins.

It seems likely one of these teams could be willing to take a chance on Manning should he decide to enter the 2027 draft. If he wants to be selected with the No. 1 pick, however, he may need to put together some stronger performances down the stretch of the Longhorns' season.