MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — In an interview PEOPLE published Saturday, Texas quarterback Arch Manning said his uncles Peyton Manning and Eli Manning told him to enjoy college and worry about the NFL when the time comes. PEOPLE spoke with Manning trackside at the Red Bull Energy Station during the Miami Grand Prix in early May, one week after the 2026 NFL Draft ended in Pittsburgh on April 25.
Manning is the son of Cooper Manning, the older brother of Peyton, 50, and Eli, 45. Peyton Manning won two Super Bowls and five MVP awards with the Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2021. Eli Manning won two Super Bowls with the New York Giants and retired after the 2019 season.
Manning has not announced whether he will enter the 2027 draft after this season. On Aug. 31, Mel Kiper Jr. sent him to the New York Jets with the second overall pick in ESPN’s first 2027 mock draft.
“A lot of advice,” Manning said. “They ultimately just told me to enjoy college right now, worry about that when the time comes, just take it day by day and try to be a good guy.”
Arch Manning Went 12-3 As Starter In First Full Season
Texas started 3-2 last season and finished 7-1. Manning completed 248 of 404 passes for 3,163 yards with 26 touchdowns and 7 interceptions in his first season as the full-time starter, and he ran for 399 yards and 10 touchdowns. Over the final eight games, he threw 15 touchdown passes with 2 interceptions. The Longhorns went 10-3, missed the College Football Playoff, and beat Michigan in the Citrus Bowl on Dec. 31, when Manning ran 60 yards for the touchdown that sealed the win.
“Got an in-game experience, there were ups and downs, but ultimately learned from it and excited for this year,” Manning said.
Texas opens this season ranked No. 5 in the Associated Press poll and No. 4 in the coaches poll after starting last year at No. 1 and finishing 12th. Manning is a redshirt junior with 25 appearances and 15 starts.
“Trying to make the most out of it,” Manning said. “Do whatever I can to help the team win and have a good time.”
Six Longhorns were drafted in April, none in the first round for the first time in three years. Linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. went 60th overall to the Tennessee Titans in the second round. Malik Muhammad went to the Chicago Bears in the fourth round, Trey Moore, Michael Taaffe, and DJ Campbell went to the Miami Dolphins in the fourth, fifth, and sixth rounds, and Jack Endries went to the Cincinnati Bengals in the seventh.
“We had some guys drafted,” Manning said. “Excited for them and the next chapter in their lives, and excited for this year.”
Manning had foot surgery on Jan. 23, which Texas announced as a minor, preventative procedure for a prior injury, and he was limited to 7-on-7 sessions and position drills during spring practice. On Aug. 24, Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said Manning had a great fall camp.
“In college, we’re working out or doing spring ball the whole time,” Manning said. “We get the month of May off, so I’m going to go back to New Orleans, take it easy with my buddies and just decompress a little bit.”
Away from football, Manning plays golf. The Red Bull trip doubled as a birthday celebration, and Manning turned 22 on April 27, six days before the race on May 3.
“I love to play golf, hang out with my buddies and just be a regular dude,” Manning said.
“Somewhat,” Manning said of the birthday weekend. “I got my three high school best friends with me this weekend.”
Eli Manning Spoke To PEOPLE After The Ohio State Loss
Eli Manning spoke to PEOPLE shortly after Texas lost 14-7 at Ohio State on Aug. 30, 2025, in Arch Manning’s first road start. Manning threw for 170 yards in Columbus, and Texas went 1-for-5 on fourth down.
“I watched the game and I’m just proud of the way he hung in there,” Eli Manning said.
“Obviously, going to Ohio State and playing your first college football game on the road, not the easiest environment to start the season,” Eli Manning continued. “But I’m proud… They got down a little bit, but he hung in there, got a touchdown drive, gave them a chance to win in the fourth quarter.”
Texas opens against Texas State on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CT on ESPN at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. No. 1 Ohio State comes to Austin on Sept. 12 for a 6:30 p.m. CT kickoff on ABC. Texas plays UTSA on Sept. 19 at 7 p.m. CT on SEC Network+ and opens SEC play at Tennessee on Sept. 26 at 11 a.m. CT.
