Grandpa Archie knows best?
At the least, the NFL draft futures market trusts the elder Manning has some insight when it comes to the pro timetable of his grandson and Texas quarterback Arch Manning.
Previously the prevailing favorite to be drafted first in the 2026 NFL Draft, odds shifted following the Texas Monthly interview with family patriarch Archie Manning during which he declared Arch Manning, a third-year sophomore, will not be a one-and-done starter.
“Arch isn’t going to do that. He’ll be at Texas,” Archie Manning said.
Archie Manning was the No. 2 pick in the 1971 draft out of Ole Miss. Two of his sons, Peyton and Eli, were drafted No. 1 overall.
But oddsmakers are buying the idea Arch Manning will stay at Texas through the 2026 season. He’s entering his first year as the Longhorns’ starter, replacing Quinn Ewers, and viewed as a Heisman Trophy frontrunner as he leads a loaded Texas squad that just earned its first preseason No. 1 ranking in the Associated Press poll.
FanDuel odds set Arch Manning as the Heisman favorite at +700, ahead of Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik (+900) and LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (+900).
Nussmeier jumped to the favorite spot in No. 1 pick futures for 2026 after Archie Manning’s comments.
Nussmeier (+340), Klubnik (+380), South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers (+380) and Penn State quarterback Drew Allar (+470) are now ahead of
Arch Manning (+850) at FanDuel.