Analyst urges Arch Manning to skip NFL draft and transfer from Texas

ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky said on Friday's "First Take" that quarterback Arch Manning should not declare for the 2027 NFL draft and instead transfer to a college where he can continue to develop as a quarterback. > "I do not believe Arch should go to the NFL. I believe Arch should leave Texas and go to a place that can adamantly develop him as a quarterback, that gives you the ability to play quarterback," Orlovsky told the show, according to a report from Awful Announcing.

Orlovsky added that the Longhorns' offensive system does not allow Manning to "play quarterback" and has contributed to a decline in his performance. Entering the game against Ole Miss, Manning had accumulated 1,295 passing yards, 11 touchdowns and five interceptions, down from 3,163 yards, 26 touchdowns and seven interceptions in the 2025 season.

Texas coach Steve Sarkisian has given backup KJ Lacey more practice reps, raising questions about Manning's starting status. The Longhorns fell from No. 1 in the AP Top 25 after beating Ohio State to No. 19 following narrow losses to Oklahoma and Florida.

The broader quarterback outlook for the 2027 draft is uncertain. NFL insider Tom Pelissero reported that a college scouting director described the talent evaluation as "an absolute s–t show," and several NFL executives have expressed doubt that all top quarterbacks will enter the draft. In ESPN's latest quarterback rankings, Manning dropped to No. 5, behind Drew Mestemaker, Darian Mensah, Trinidad Chambliss and CJ Carr.