Arch Manning Gets $1.3M NIL Boost After Kirk Herbstreit Says He’ll Return

Arch Manning had one of the biggest turnarounds in college football this season. After a slow start, the Texas quarterback finished strong and proved why he came in with so much hype. Now his improvement is paying off in a big way—both on the field and in his bank account.

Kirk Herbstreit, one of the most respected voices in the sport, praised Arch Manning on his podcast. He said Arch grew a lot this year and believes the young QB will stay at Texas for one more season.

Right after Herbstreit said this, Arch Manning’s NIL value shot up by $1.3 million, jumping from $4 million to $5.3 million.

This big jump makes sense when you look at how his season went. Manning entered 2025 with huge pressure as Texas’s new starting quarterback. But he struggled early, especially in the opener against Ohio State, where he threw for only 170 yards on 56.7% passing. Things didn’t get better the next week—he completed just 44% of his passes against UTEP.

But as the season went on, Arch Manning settled down. He looked more confident and started playing like the 5-star talent everyone expected. His best stretch came in the middle of the season when he completed 77.8% of his passes against Oklahoma. He then threw for 328 yards versus Vanderbilt and 389 yards against Arkansas.

His overall numbers still show some inconsistency. Manning finished with a 61.4% completion rate and 2,942 passing yards. He also tied for the fifth-most touchdown passes (24) in the SEC. But the good news is clear—he’s improving fast.

His game against Arkansas was historic. He became the first Texas player ever to catch a touchdown, throw a touchdown, and run for one in the same game.

Even with his growth, many people think he’s not ready to be a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. But staying at Texas for another year could change that. Another season with Steve Sarkisian could help him earn even more NIL money and maybe even compete for a national championship.

What Texas Needs to Fix for 2026

If Arch Manning returns, Texas must improve a few key areas:

1. The Interior Offensive Line Needs Help
Texas needs stronger players at center and guard. Manning faced too much pressure up the middle this year. Better protection will help him make cleaner throws.

2. The Run Game Must Be More Consistent
Texas was near the bottom in the country and last in the SEC in yards per rush. Injuries and offensive line problems didn’t help. A strong run game would take pressure off Manning.

3. Red Zone Issues Need Fixing
Too many drives ended with field goals. Texas needs to finish with touchdowns.

If Texas can fix these problems, Arch Manning’s return could turn the Longhorns into a real contender—and possibly set him up as the No. 1 pick in the 2027 NFL Draft.

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