Arch Manning shuts down Heisman Trophy talk before 2026 season

Expectations are high for Arch Manning and the Texas Longhorns heading into their 2026 college football season, as they’re currently among the top three contenders with Ohio State and Notre Dame to win the national championship.

Each of those teams features a quarterback capable of winning the Heisman Trophy, with Manning second in odds to win the award behind only Notre Dame’s CJ Carr, while Ohio State’s Julian Sayin a bit further down the list at most sportsbooks.

And while Manning could be the driving force for Texas’ College Football Playoff return and potential championship run this season, he’s not interested in discussing the Heisman Trophy buzz yet.

“I’m just worried about the team. I’m just worried about getting through this afternoon workout here in the heat,” he told reporters on Friday at the Manning Passing Academy in Thibodaux, Louisiana, per NOLA.com’s Jeff Duncan.

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Manning entered last season as the favorite to win the Heisman Trophy, but failed to meet those expectations. He started and played in 13 of the Longhorns games, leading them to a 10-3 record with 3,163 passing yards and 26 touchdown passes.

Those are impressive numbers in his third season of college football, and one has to imagine even better performances are on the way from Manning in what’s expected to be his final year in college before he heads to the NFL.

Earlier this month, ESPN’s Matt Miller and Jordan Reid ranked Manning as their top quarterback heading into the season, and most mock drafts already have him going at the top of the order. Several NFL teams could be in full tank mode as they try to land the player considered the league’s next superstar.

But amid all of the Heisman buzz and No. 1 pick chatter, there’s still a college football season to play in which Manning has to live up to or exceed these early expectations.

Texas will get things started in early September against Texas State before taking on Sayin and the Ohio State Buckeyes, followed by UTSA. Then they’ll be up against the always-challenging SEC as they attempt to get back to the CFP for the first time since 2023.

Among those SEC games will be an October game against the LSU Tigers, now coached by former Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin, and according to NOLA.com, Manning is fully looking forward to that one.

“It’s going to be fun,” he said. “I’m excited for the challenge. They’re a great team, great coach and a great crowd. So we’re fired up.”

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