When is Arch Manning eligible for NFL Draft? Here’s the timeline for Texas QB to turn pro | Sporting News Canada

Texas will have one of the biggest spotlights in college football this weekend, and not just because they’re the No. 1 ranked team in the country.

Star redshirt freshman quarterback Arch Manning will make his first career start against UL Monroe, head coach Steve Sarkisian announced Thursday. Manning will hold down the job in the absence of Heisman Trophy candidate Quinn Ewers, who suffered an abdominal strain in the Longhorns’ win over UTSA last Saturday.

Manning looked ready in his first non-garbage time game action, completing nine of 12 pass attempts for 223 yards and four touchdowns. He also had three carries for 53 yards and a 67-yard rushing touchdown.

The 19-year-old’s breakout performance already has people wondering when he is eligible for the NFL Draft.

MORE: What Arch Manning’s five-TD arrival, Quinn Ewers’ injury means for Texas QBs

When is Arch Manning eligible for the NFL Draft?

Manning will not be eligible to declare for the NFL Draft until 2026.

Manning is only two years removed from high school, making him ineligible for the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft. Per NFL rules, a player must be three years removed from high school and have used their collegiate eligibility to enter the NFL Draft.

That means the 19-year-old will have to play another year of college football before he can turn pro. And it might be for the best — Manning only appeared in two games as a freshman, taking a redshirt season as Ewers’ backup.

MORE: Five college football teams with QB problems that need to be solved

Ewers went on to lead Texas to the College Football Playoff for the first time but the Longhorns suffered an early exit to Washington. When Ewers elected to return for his junior year, some wondered if Manning would transfer instead of spending another season on the sidelines.

Manning elected to stay loyal to Texas and head coach Sarkisian — and the Longhorn faithful are sure glad he did.

Manning will make his first career start against UL Monroe on Saturday and is expected to maintain the job until Ewers returns from his abdominal injury.

MORE: Miller Moss waited his turn at USC, and now he leads the Trojans into the Big Ten

Arch Manning 2026 NFL Draft projection

There aren’t many 2026 NFL Mock Drafts out there yet but a few websites have done “way-too-early” editions.

Manning is mocked as the No. 1 overall pick in some, but not all.

In a small sample size, Manning has already looked the part of an NFL quarterback, completing 14-of-18 pass attempts for 318 yards and five touchdowns with zero interceptions in 2024. He has also impressed with his speed and mobility through two games this season, rushing for 53 yards and two touchdowns.

His 67-yard touchdown run against UTSA surely caught the eyes of NFL scouts.

ARCH MANNING HAS BREAKAWAY SPEED🏃🏻‍♂️🔥

TOUCHDOWN #Texas

🎥: ESPN #HookEm pic.twitter.com/UJSFBJPPAU

— Inside Texas (@InsideTexas) September 15, 2024

Listed at 6-4 and 225 lbs., Manning has the frame of an NFL quarterback. Add in his family’s history of success at that level, and there should be little doubt that the Texas star knows what it takes to get to that stage.

Manning will be playing on Sundays eventually — he’ll just have to wait until 2026 to declare.