Matt Miller believes Arch Manning is a 2027 NFL Draft prospect over 2026

This time next season, Arch Manning could be going through the NFL Draft process. Manning is entering his first run as the Texas starting quarterback but third overall in college. If he wanted to leave Austin for the 2026 NFL Draft, he could.

However, ESPN’s Matt Miller does not believe Manning will be a part of the next cycle. Instead, Miller believes Manning will find himself in the 2027 NFL Draft. Texas would get to have Manning in its program for another two seasons before declaring.

“I keep telling people he’s a 2027 guy,” Miller said via ESPN’s College GameDay Podcast. “So, let’s cool our heads a little bit on the Arch talk.”

The topic came up because ESPN’s Pete Thamel asked Miller who would be the No. 1 overall pick in 2026. Manning was not mentioned beforehand, as Miller just gave his thoughts, and attempted to pump the breaks on Archmania — at least at the NFL level.

Manning has 12 games of experience under his belt, only two of which were starts. Assuming he stays healthy throughout the 2024 season, at least another 12 will be added to the resume. Texas will have aspirations of pushing next year’s number close to 16 with a College Football Playoff appearance.

Even so, getting a second full season of starting experience might be what Manning is looking for before making a jump to the NFL. After all, this is not the family’s first rodeo, going through this process with Peyton at Tennessee and Eli with Ole Miss.

Manning played high school football at New Orleans (LA) Isidore Newman, where he was a Five-Star Plus+ prospect. He was the No. 1 overall recruit in the 2023 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Between his talent and last name, teams are going to be chomping at the bit to get Manning on their team. And with how desperate NFL franchises can be to find their next face, the race to get Manning could be an all-time one.

Miller predicts teams will have to wait a couple of seasons, though. Texas will get the Manning Era officially underway on Aug. 30 with a trip to the Shoe for a matchup against the reigning national champions, the Ohio State Buckeyes. And you know that is when the scouting will begin, getting a look at what could be.