‘It Doesn’t Look Easy for Arch (Manning)’ – Heisman Winner Argues Texas QB Should Return to School Rather Than Enter 2027 NFL Draft

Colin Witte Wed, September 30, 2026 at 2:08 AM UTC

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Sep 26, 2026; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Texas quarterback Arch Manning (16) celebrates after a college football game between Tennessee and Texas at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Sept. 26, 2026. © Brianna Paciorka-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images

Arch Manning is the quarterback of the No. 1 team in the country, undefeated through four games, and carrying a last name that practically comes with its own NFL Draft countdown clock.

Robert Griffin III would like everyone to slow down a little.

The 2011 Heisman Trophy winner watched Texas survive Tennessee 20-17 on Saturday and came away convinced Manning still has work to do before becoming an NFL quarterback.

The Longhorns keep winning. RGIII just does not think their quarterback has reached the point where college football looks boringly easy yet.

RGIII Wants Arch Manning Back at Texas in 2027

Griffin believes Manning’s best NFL trait remains his athleticism and ability to create when a play breaks down. The problem is that flashes are different from mastery.

“I believe he should come back for another year,” Griffin said. “When guys are ready to go to the NFL, playing college football looks easy for them.”

RGIII used himself, Andrew Luck, and C.J. Stroud as examples of quarterbacks who reached a point where their final college seasons looked almost too comfortable.

“It doesn’t lookeasy for Arch yet,” Griffin said.

That is a pretty brutal measuring stick, but Manning’s first month has not exactly made the conversation disappear.

He completed 14 of 19 passes for 201 yards with no touchdowns and an interception at Tennessee while taking six sacks. Texas still escaped Knoxville because its defense produced 10 sacks and held the Volunteers to 17 points.

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Manning has made plays. He just has not made the entire operation look effortless.

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The funny part is Manning does not need to enter the draft for people to already argue about where he belongs in it.

PFN’s current2027 QB rankings still place him squarely in the conversation with Oregon’s Dante Moore near the top of the class. Griffin’s argument is that another year of college football could turn projection into something much easier to trust.

The current numbers help explain his hesitation. Manning has completed 61.9% of his passes for 664 yards, seven touchdowns, and two interceptions. His 80.0PFN QB Impact grade ranks #93 among 311 quarterbacks in 2026.

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That is good enough to quarterback an undefeated team. It is not exactly screaming finished product.

Griffin also acknowledged the unusual pressure Manning carries, arguing that every ordinary 250-yard afternoon gets judged against expectations created by Peyton, Eli, and years of recruiting hype.

Manning might eventually be the first quarterback taken in 2027. RGIII’s point is that there is no prize for getting there a year early.

Texas football still looks hard for him sometimes. The NFL has a funny way of making hard look considerably harder.

This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.

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Source: “AOL Sports”