Texas quarterback Arch Manning may still have another season of college football in front of him, former Georgia All-American linebacker David Pollack said Monday on “The Dan Patrick Show.”
“I think there’s a good chance Arch Manning is back in college football next year,” Pollack said. “I think there’s a great chance.”
Pollack, appearing via Zoom, said Manning possesses the physical tools and character teams covet but has not yet shown consistent processing speed at the line of scrimmage.
“Arch Manning has exceptional talent,” Pollack said. “I think his release is good. His arm is good. He has all of the intangibles as well. He has the inside, the heart, the character, everything that goes with it. He has the size. He has everything you need except Arch Manning’s processing is just a step slow. It’s consistently a step slow.”
The official account of the Dan Patrick Show highlighted the remarks in a post that quickly circulated among college football fans. Texas entered the week 4-0 and No. 1 in the Associated Press Top 25 after a 20-17 road win at Tennessee.
Manning has completed 73 of 115 passes for 862 yards, seven touchdowns and three interceptions through four games. He has added 82 rushing yards on 32 carries.
Those numbers have not quieted questions about whether the nephew of Peyton and Eli Manning is ready to be a top NFL draft pick after the season.
Pollack said Manning can make elite plays but does not do so often enough.
“He can do things that are elite and on a high level. He just doesn’t do them consistently,” Pollack said. “I think he’s a really good quarterback, but he’s not the guy right now. He’s still gaining experience in year two. He still needs more reps.”
The former ESPN College GameDay analyst pointed to a specific mechanical habit.
“It’s one too many pats,” Pollack said. “You watch him, it’s that last pat that then he throws it where a lot of guys can go from here to I throw it immediately. He doesn’t do that yet. So that’s his next step to being the superstar to matching the talent that he has.”
Host Dan Patrick asked how a quarterback overcomes slow processing when some NFL players never do. Pollack said additional starts would help, even if Steve Sarkisian’s offense does not always force Manning through long progressions.
“Reps definitely help. The more reps you get help,” Pollack said. “Now, listen, Sarkisian’s offense isn’t really an offense that you’re going to sit there and go through progressions consistently and do that. So, I’m not saying he’ll get that at Texas.”
Pollack said another year in the same system with talented teammates could benefit Manning and NFL evaluators who prefer more film.
“You’ll see him this year gain more experience. You’ll see him next year. He’ll have an opportunity to go be in the same system again with a bunch of talented players and get more experience because a lot of people will tell you, you know, going to the next level, I want to see 30 starts,” Pollack said. “I want to make sure I see him progress and get better and better.”
Manning started 13 games in 2025, throwing for 3,163 yards, 26 touchdowns and seven interceptions while rushing for 399 yards and 10 scores. He returned for 2026 rather than enter last spring’s draft.
Sarkisian said in June he would not be surprised if Manning stayed beyond this season. The coach noted Manning loves college football, Texas and the NIL opportunities available in Austin.
Texas has a bye this week before facing Oklahoma on Oct. 10 in Dallas. The Longhorns’ remaining schedule includes several high-profile games that will shape both championship hopes and Manning’s draft stock.
Pollack’s comments add to a growing debate about whether Manning’s tools already justify a top-of-the-draft grade or whether another year of college football would better serve his development.
The Longhorns remain a national title contender. Whether their quarterback is still on campus in 2027 may depend on how quickly that last extra pat disappears.
