NFL Draft rumors: Arch Manning clarifies granddad’s statements

The anticipation surrounding Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning has reached a fever pitch as he prepares for his first start of the 2025 season. Recent comments made by his legendary grandfather, Archie Manning, regarding his NFL Draft status for 2026 caused some confusion, but Arch Manning set the record straight during a press conference on Tuesday.

“I don’t know where he got that from,” Manning said in response to his grandfather’s statement. “He texted me to apologize about that. I’m really just taking it day by day right now.”

Despite the mixed signals, Manning did acknowledge that Archie has been offering him advice on how to protect himself on the field and avoid taking dangerous hits.

“My grandfather, he’s hobbling around these days. He ends every call with ‘get down or get out of bounds,’” Manning shared.

As the No. 1 team in the preseason Associated Press top 25 college football poll, Texas is set to face Ohio State in their season opener on Aug. 30. This game will serve as a significant test for Manning, who has only played in 12 games over his first two collegiate seasons. Despite limited playing time, Manning showed promise last season, throwing for 939 passing yards and nine touchdown passes in 10 games.

While the chatter about Manning’s draft prospects is relatively quiet at the moment, experts believe he could be a top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. A strong performance against Ohio State could potentially elevate his draft stock even further.

It remains to be seen what the future holds for Arch Manning, but one thing is certain – all eyes will be on him as he leads the Longhorns into a highly-anticipated season. Stay tuned for more updates on Manning’s journey both on and off the field.

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This article was written by Ryan Gaydos for Fox News Digital.