The end of the regular season means the latest college football rumors are swirling about all things transfer portal related. Top programs are in danger of losing players who are looking for an expanded role and higher NIL deals elsewhere.
Texas quarterback Trey Owens is among the latest players who intends to enter the transfer portal when it opens on January 2, 2026, per ESPN’s Pete Thamel.
“Texas quarterback Trey Owens tells ESPN he intends to enter the NCAA transfer portal,” Thamel detailed in a December 8, message on X. “Owens will have three years of eligibility remaining, as he’s a redshirt freshman who has appeared in two games.”
With Owens likely leaving Texas, the move points to the expectation that Manning will return to the Longhorns for 2026. Heading into the season, Manning was considered a top prospect for the 2026 NFL draft but his inconsistent play has his stock taking a hit.
Here’s what you need to know about Manning’s future.
Texas Expects Arch Manning to Return for 2026
There is also the chance that opposing teams could attempt to poach Manning away from Austin. Yet, if Manning was content to sit behind Quinn Ewers for two seasons, it does not make a lot of sense for the quarterback to leave Texas now that he is the team’s QB1.
“I haven’t asked him,” Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian said of Manning’s future, per Burnt Orange Nation’s Wescott Eberts. “Maybe I should. Feel pretty good about it, but we’ll see.”
Could Arch Manning Enter the 2026 NFL Draft?
Not everyone is convinced that Manning’s NFL draft stock is in bad shape. Yahoo Sports’ Nate Tice suggested that Manning’s final stretch to close out the season once again makes him a candidate to be the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL draft.
Even before Manning’s slow start, there was already speculation that the Texas quarterback wanted to play college football in 2026. Back in August, Manning’s grandfather Archie Manning made waves by insisting that the Texas quarterback had no plans to turn pro in 2026.
Arch Manning’s Grandfather Archie Predicted the Texas QB Would Not Enter the 2026 NFL Draft
Manning would later downplay these comments, emphasizing that he had not made a decision regarding his future. Now, the decision may be made for him if Manning is no longer ranked among the top quarterback prospects.
“As the season approaches, many of the same people who have already awarded Arch the Heisman and the national championship are predicting that he will also be the number one NFL draft choice in 2026,”Texas Monthly’s S. C. Gwynne wrote in August. “Stories abound about how NFL teams could position themselves to get him, though there is no reason to believe he would leave Texas next year, with or without a championship ring.
“His grandfather says he hasn’t discussed it with Arch, but he knows his grandson: ‘Arch isn’t going to do that. He’ll be at Texas.’”
Not only did Manning’s grandfather predict the star would hold off on the draft but indicated the signal-caller would return to Texas. There are sure to be no shortage of rumors on Manning’s future, but Owens’ pending departure signals that the star quarterback is expected to return to Austin for 2026.
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