Is Arch Manning the 2026 Heisman favorite? This time, the hype is warranted after stellar Cheez-It Bowl

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Is Arch Manning the 2026 Heisman favorite? This time, the hype is warranted after stellar Cheez-It Bowl

Is Arch Manning the 2026 Heisman favorite? This time, the hype is warranted after stellar Cheez-It Bowl originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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Texas quarterback Arch Manning barely crossed the goal line on a 60-yard touchdown run that effectively ended the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl before it was said out loud. 

ESPN analyst Roddy Jones put it out there on the telecast for his partner Mark Jones. 

"I'm going to say it Mark," Roddy Jones said. "That's your Heisman Trophy favorite going into 2026." 

And … we're back. Manning was the Heisman Trophy frontrunner before he was the full-time starter at Texas this season – the byproduct of a family legacy that includes uncles Peyton and Eli. Arch Manning contributed to that with a dominant performance for No. 13 Texas in a 41-27 victory against No. 18 Michigan in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl on Wednesday. 

Manning finished 21 of 34 for 221 passing yards and two TDs. He added nine carries for 155 rushing yards and two TDs, including that game-clinching run. Will that lead to more Heisman hype? After all, in his final game as a freshman Peyton Manning finished 12 of 19 for 189 yards and a TD in a 45-23 victory against No. 17 Virginia Tech in the Gator Bowl on Dec. 30, 1994. Manning finished sixth, eighth and second, respectively, in the Heisman voting the next three seasons. 

Arch Manning struggled in the first half of the season, and that peaked after a 29-21 loss to Florida on Oct. 4. The "bust" label was tossed out there, and that was every bit as preemptive as the preseason  hype. At the time, we said give it time. We were right.

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Arch Manning builds Heisman Trophy hype for 2026

In Texas' last seven regular-season games, Manning finished 146 of 235 (62.1%) for an average of 255.9 passing yards per game with 13 TDs and two interceptions. Texas finished 6-1 in those games, closed the regular season with a 27-17 victory against No. 3 Texas A&M and had a compelling playoff case.

Have we learned anything? Manning will be better in 2026. The Longhorns should be able to improve the offensive line. Manning took 23 sacks this season. He is an excellent runner – and the Longhorns were thin at running back against the Wolverines – starter Christian Clark had 35 rushing attempts coming into the game. 

There is no question Manning will be among the Heisman Trophy favorites to start next season. That comes with the territory and last name – but in this case it might actually be about the production. The first month of the season features the return game against Ohio State on Sept. 12 and a trip to Neyland Stadium to face Tennessee on Sept. 26. 

All those conversations we had in August – the ones about Manning being the Heisman Trophy favorite and the No. 1 pick in the 2027 NFL Draft – will return in full force. Ask yourself a question: Would you take Manning as the first quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft based on potential over the other options?

A look at some other players who will be in the early Heisman Trophy conversation. This assumes 2025 Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza decides to enter the 2026 NFL Draft.

MORE: SN's latest NFL Mock Draft

Early Heisman favorites for 2026 

Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State

Smith remains the most-imposing force in college football and will be motivated by the Biletnikoff Award snub this season. He had 80 catches on 96 targets – a 81.6% catch percentage – for 1,086 yards and 11 TDs. 

Julian Sayin, QB, Ohio State

Sayin — a Heisman Trophy finalist – might have won the award this season had the Buckeyes beat Indiana in the Big Ten championship game. He had a FBS-best 78.4% completion percentage with 3,323 yards, 31 TDs and six interceptions. Remember, Sayin led Ohio State to a 14-7 victory against Manning in the season opener, and both QBs will be improved in their second season as starters. 

CJ Carr, QB, Notre Dame 

Carr had 2,741 passing yards, 24 TDs and six interceptions and led Notre Dame to 10 straight victories to close the regular season. He improved after losses in his first two starts to Miami and Texas A&M, and the Irish will be right back in the CFP hunt next season. 

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Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama 

Simpson would be more of a long-shot, but he was among the favorites in the first half of the season. The Crimson Tide have made a run to the College Football Playoff quarterfinals, and Simpson will be better in a second season with offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb and coach Kalen DeBoer.

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