Arch Manning Returns to Texas, Who Are Top QBs on 2027 NFL Draft Big Boards?

After an inconsistent first season as the starting quarterback at Texas, Arch Manning is returning to school next year to continue honing his skills in college before a potential move to the NFL in 2027.

Cooper Manning, Arch's father, confirmed in a text message to ESPN's Dave Wilson on Monday that his son was staying at Texas rather than declaring for the 2026 NFL draft.

"Arch is playing football at Texas next year," Cooper wrote in his text (h/t ESPN's Andrea Adelson).

While there remains a lot of uncertainty about what the 2026 quarterback draft class will look like, the '27 class could include Manning, DJ Lagway, CJ Carr, Dylan Raiola, Julian Sayin and LaNorris Sellers.

The 2027 draft class might end up being even stronger because there has been buzz that Dante Moore Jr. could return to Oregon next season.

Alabama's Ty Simpson finished the regular season on a rough note, so his stock could depend on how he performs in the College Football Playoff.

B/R's NFL scouting department has Simpson and Moore ranked as top 15 prospects in the 2026 draft, so if you take either or both of them out until next year, it really opens things up for 2027.

It's also not a guarantee that Manning comes out after next season. He still has college eligibility through the '27 season if he feels he needs more time, or just wants to follow the lead of his uncles, Peyton and Eli, by spending three years as a full-time starter in college before turning pro.

That would seem unlikely since Manning would be 24 if he entered the NFL in 2028 draft, but there has been a shift in recent years where pro teams are preferring quarterbacks with a lot of college experience rather than someone with limited starting exposure who will require a lot more development at the pro level.

Manning, the No. 1 overall recruit in the 2023 class, waited two years to become a full-time starter at Texas. He has thrown for 2,942 yards, 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions, while running for 244 yards and eight touchdowns in 12 games.

The 21-year-old has one more game remaining this season, as he will lead Texas against Michigan in the Camping World Stadium Bowl on Dec. 31.