Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning has been at the top of most 2026 NFL mock drafts this summer, and has been linked to teams like Cleveland, Indianapolis, Pittsburgh and others across the league.

There’s just one problem.

Manning’s grandfather, the legendary Archie Manning, said during an interview with Texas Monthly magazine that his grandson will be playing at Texas through the 2026 season – or two more years.

That would mean that Arch won’t be available to be drafted in the NFL until the 2027 draft, which will take place in April of 2027 on the National Mall in front of the U.S. Capitol building. But Arch has now indicated that his decision has not yet been made, as he told OnTexasFootball.

“Yeah, I don’t know where he got that from,” Arch said. “He texted me and apologized about that. I’m really just taking it day by day right now.”

The 21-year-old is about to enter his first season as the Longhorns’ starter, and appeared in 10 games last season behind Quinn Ewers, who’s now with the Miami Dolphins.

Manning finished 2024 with 939 passing yards on 61-of-90 passing with nine touchdowns and two interceptions while completing 67.8 percent of his throws. He also carried the ball 25 times for 108 yards and posted an additional four scores.

The son of Cooper and nephew to Payton and Eli has mostly attempted to fly under the radar in Austin, but as the starter, that will be increasingly difficult.

“I’m not a guy who seeks the media — no offense, guys,” Manning continued. “But, it’s really about the team. I love the guys on the field. So, we’re excited right now. I’m just having fun. I dreamed of being in this position, so I’m not going to take it for granted.”

We’ll get to see Manning in action for the first time in 2025 with the rest of the No. 1-ranked Texas Longhorns as they take on the No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes in Columbus on Saturday at 11 a.m. CT.