Despite an uneven start to his first full season as Texas’ starting quarterback, ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky still believes Arch Manning will be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2027 NFL Draft.
While on ESPN’s Get Up Thursday, Orlovsky stood firm in his projection that Manning remains the top prospect in the long term, even as the Longhorns sit at 3-2 through five games. The former NFL quarterback said the problems at Texas have little to do with Manning and more with the players around him.
“Let’s be very clear about Texas,” Orlovsky said. “It’s probably as big of a roster whiff as we’ve had in years. It’s arguably the worst offensive line in the SEC. They don’t have a tailback who’s a difference maker right now. Their best receiver is a redshirt freshman named Parker Livingstone. This is not a very good football team.”
Texas has plenty of issues aside from Arch's erraticism...
— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) October 9, 2025
O-LINE⁰Allow the highest pressure rate in the SEC (41% of dropbacks)
RUN GAME⁰RBs rank 13th in SEC in rushing average (4.3 yards)
Best WR is a RSFR
DEFENSE⁰Didn't record a sack against Ohio State or Florida (49…
Through five games, Manning has completed 60% of his passes for 1,151 yards with 11 touchdowns and five interceptions. He’s also added 160 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns, leading the Longhorns in both categories. His performances have been a mix of promise and frustration, including a 263-yard, two-touchdown outing in last week’s 29-21 loss at Florida.
Manning was the former No. 1 overall recruit in the 2023 class and carries the weight of big expectations tied to his family’s football legacy. After two years as a backup, he has shown flashes of his athleticism and arm talent, but also inconsistency in decision-making and accuracy. Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian’s play-calling and development factors into this as well.
Manning and the Longhorns face Oklahoma next in the annual Red River Rivalry, where he’ll have another chance to prove why some still see him as future NFL franchise quarterback material.
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