Arch Manning could finally get his chance to become Texas’ full-time starter next season.
Quinn Ewers reportedly plans to enter the NFL draft, according to Orangebloods, which would open a route for the Longhorns to begin the 2025 campaign with Manning — the nephew of former NFL stars Peyton and Eli — as their signal-caller.
Manning also has “no plans” to enter the transfer portal, the outlet added.
At this point last year, though, that seemed as if it could at least be a possibility after Manning sat behind Ewers as a true freshman and then watched as Ewers decided to return for another collegiate season.
Ewers, who reportedly still has one year of eligibility remaining, began his career as an Ohio State backup in 2021 before transferring to Texas and becoming their starter the next season.
He threw for 3,479 yards last year with 22 touchdowns and six interceptions while adding another 2,665 yards, 25 touchdowns, and nine interceptions in 2024 to help Texas clinch a spot in the College Football Playoff.
Manning still appeared in eight games this season, though, and even made a pair of starts — against Louisiana-Monroe and Mississippi State on Sept. 21 and 28, respectively — when an oblique injury sidelined Ewers.
He threw for 583 yards and four touchdowns in those games, and across his eight cameos, which includes the one he made briefly Saturday during the Longhorns’ loss to Georgia in the SEC championship game, Manning has thrown for 939 and nine touchdowns while rushing for an additional four.
Ewers was also briefly benched by head coach Steve Sarkisian on Oct. 19 against the Bulldogs.
Still, despite inevitable questions of a potential quarterback controversy brewing, Ewers has been pegged as one of the top quarterbacks available in the 2025 NFL Draft alongside Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders and Miami’s Cam Ward.
And before that, he’ll have a chance to guide the Longhorns through the first edition of the expanded College Football Playoff bracket, with Texas — the No. 5 seed — set to host No. 12 seed Clemson on Dec. 21.
If the Longhorns survive, they’ll keep advancing.
But if the Tigers pull the upset, then Texas’ elimination could also double as the beginning of the Manning era in Austin.
