The next generation of Manning QB made his college choice

Perhaps Broncos fans don’t dream of Arch Manning in 2026 anymore. Trading for Russell Wilson does that.

But for those who want to see the third generation of Manning quarterbacks attempt to reach the NFL, their eyes are now upon Texas.

Thursday, the nephew of Peyton Manning committed to play for the Longhorns. Widely considered the No. 1 recruit in the 2023 college-football freshman class, Manning chose Texas over a cluster of college-football blue bloods that included Alabama, Georgia, LSU and Clemson.

Arch Manning is the son of Cooper Manning, whose football career ended before he could play a college snap because of spinal stenosis. Cooper is the oldest of Archie Manning’s three sons, of which Broncos legend Peyton is the middle child.

Like his father and uncles, Arch Manning attended Isidore Newman School in New Orleans. He became the school’s starting quarterback as a freshman. In three years, he has a 72-to-18 touchdown-to-interception ratio and has completed 65 percent of his passes. He’s also an effective runner, averaging 8.1 yards per carry with 17 touchdowns.

The Manning family has largely kept a low profile in Arch’s recruiting. He didn’t even make a tweet until Thursday morning:

Committed to the University of Texas. #HookEm pic.twitter.com/jHYbjBaF5K

— Arch Manning (@ArchManning) June 23, 2022

With Texas joining the Southeastern Conference, Arch Manning continues the tradition of Mannings in the SEC. Patriarch Archie played for Mississippi, as did his youngest son, Eli. Cooper was on scholarship to play for the Rebels before his career-ending diagnosis.

Peyton charted his own path at one UT — Tennessee. Now, Arch will blaze his trail the SEC’s new UT — with a darker shade of orange than that of the Volunteers.

Under current NFL Draft eligibility rules, Arch Manning could turn pro as early as 2026. But if Wilson is everything the Broncos expect him to be, they aren’t likely to look in his direction.

However, that won’t stop Broncos Country from watching Arch Manning’s career with great interest.