Texas HC Steve Sarkisian drops hints about potential Arch Manning return in 2027

NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...

Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Texas HC Steve Sarkisian drops hints about potential Arch Manning return in 2027 appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Texas football is hungry for a bounce-back season after suffering three losses and missing out on the College Football Playoff a season ago, and now they have one of the best rosters in the country coming into 2026.

Arch Manning is a big reason for that, as the star quarterback has once again been touted as a Heisman Trophy contender and a potential No. 1 overall pick in the 2027 NFL Draft coming into next season. The former five-star recruit had a rocky start to the 2025 season, but a strong finish has put him back atop a lot of big boards heading into the season.

While the presumption at the moment is that Manning would leave Texas after this season, especially if he plays well, to go to the NFL Draft, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian isn’t so sure. On Up and Adams with Kay Adams, Sarkisian hinted that Manning may want to return to Austin for the 2027 season, via On3 Sports.

“You know, we haven’t had the discussion, but I will tell you, I would not be surprised,” Sarkisian said. “I think Arch really loves college football, I really do. I think he loves the University of Texas, you know, he does pretty good through NIL, you know, he’s got some pretty good endorsements going right now, which is a credit to him. And obviously, the lineage of the last name and the brand of the University of Texas, all those things coming together, but again, on the same token, I won’t be surprised if he declares and decides to go to the draft.”

This is a loaded quarterback class that includes the likes of Dante Moore, LaNorris Sellers, Drew Mestemaker, CJ Carr and many more, so a subpar season for Manning could lead to a Texas return. If the star quarterback starts to drop down some draft boards, he may opt to return to school for another shot at being No. 1 in 2027.

For now, all of the focus for Manning and Sarkisian will be on taking an elite roster back to the College Football Playoff, and hopefully a national championship.

Related: 4-star IOL picks LSU over Auburn, Rutgers and Tennessee

Related: 2027 LB joins brother at USC over Duke, UCF interest

More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos