Arch Manning Looks to Improve Accuracy, Release Time Next Season

The Texas Longhorns QB will need to focus on these two areas to take the next step forward.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 10:37pm

A cubist, geometric painting depicting a college football quarterback in motion, with the player's form broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color.Arch Manning's accuracy and decision-making will be key for the Longhorns' success in 2026.Fayetteville Today

Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning had a solid first season as the starter in 2025, but to live up to the high expectations placed on him, he'll need to improve in two key areas - releasing the ball quicker and becoming more accurate, especially on deep passes.

Why it matters

As the heir to the Manning quarterback legacy, Arch Manning has immense pressure to perform at a high level. Improving his decision-making and accuracy will be crucial for the Longhorns to make a push for the College Football Playoff in 2026.

The details

Manning finished the 2025 season with a 61.4% completion percentage, which ranked 87th nationally. His adjusted completion percentage, which accounts for on-target throws, was better at 73.6% but still only 46th in the country. He also took too long to throw on deep passes, averaging 3.54 seconds compared to 2.90 seconds overall. This led to him completing only 40% of his passes over 20 yards, despite throwing 11 touchdowns from that range.

  • The 2026 college football season kicks off in September.

The players

Arch Manning

The starting quarterback for the Texas Longhorns, and one of the most highly touted prospects in college football.

Steve Sarkisian

The head coach of the Texas Longhorns, known for running an offense that rewards patience and allows for longer-developing plays.

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What’s next

The Longhorns will look to Manning to lead them to a successful 2026 season and a potential spot in the College Football Playoff.

The takeaway

Arch Manning has the talent to be one of the top quarterbacks in college football, but to truly live up to the hype, he'll need to improve his decision-making and accuracy, especially on deep passes. If he can make those strides, the Longhorns could be a force to be reckoned with in 2026.