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Arch Manning transfer speculation heating up. 5 landing spots if QB leaves Texas
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- Arch Manning transfer speculation heating up. 5 landing spots if QB leaves Texas
Will Arch Manning be at Texas next season?
It's a question gaining more momentum as the season continues on. Speculation regarding the fourth-year quarterback's status is starting to crop up, with insiders and analysts discussing if a potential transfer portal move is on the table.
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On Oct. 23, NFL insider Tom Pelissero, speaking on "The Bill Simmons Podcast," said he spoke with someone in Manning's camp to ask him where he saw him in 2027. The answer? Ole Miss. Former "College GameDay" analyst David Pollack has also opined on Manning's future, saying he doesn't think he'll be at Texas in 2027.
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Manning entered the season as a projected first-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft, but he hasn't looked like a premier quarterback prospect this season . The second-year starter ranks 65th nationally with a 56.5 QBR, along with nine turnovers on the year.
The nephew of Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks Peyton and Eli Manning made a few game-winning plays in Texas' 34-27 win over Mississippi in Week 8, although he surrendered three turnovers in the win, raising his total to six in his last three games.
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Manning still has time to turn around his season, and Texas' win over Ole Miss was a start. Still, he has a season of eligibility left, and it's possible both Texas and Manning agree to a change in 2027 — especially with the Longhorns entering the season with national championship hopes and Manning's every move and throw being scrutinized at potentially the biggest brand in college football.
There's still plenty of football to be played and loads of dominos to fall, but here's an early look at a few teams that could be fits for Manning in the transfer portal, should he decide to leave Texas after this season:
Potential landing spots if Arch Manning enters transfer portal
Ole Miss
Manning visited Ole Miss as a high school prospect, with current head coach Pete Golding listed as his primary recruiter, per 247Sports' Composite rankings. It's also the alma mater of his grandfather (NFL quarterback Archie Manning), dad (Cooper Manning) and uncle, Eli Manning, who's likely the greatest quarterback in program history.
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Ole Miss has proven to have a high-powered offense, even without Lane Kiffin calling plays.
The Rebels have former five-star recruit Deuce Knight as their current backup after luring him away from Auburn this offseason, but maybe they decide to go after Manning instead to replace Trinidad Chambliss, who will be out of eligibility following the 2026 season.
Georgia
Manning also visited Georgia as a recruit. With Gunner Stockton out of eligibility after this season, maybe the Bulldogs could be a fit. Georgia has backup quarterback Ryan Puglisi, who has played well in limited relief duty of Stockton, but would coach Kirby Smart rather have Manning at the helm?
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It wouldn't be the first time Manning has thrown on a Georgia uniform.
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Tennessee
Tennessee's quarterback situation is still muddy, with five-star true freshman Faizon Brandon and second-year George MacIntyre splitting reps this season. Coach Josh Heupel could opt for a veteran at the position for 2027.
It also wouldn't hurt to have another Manning don the Tennessee orange. Manning's uncle, Peyton Manning, is one of the program's greatest players of all time, finishing runner-up for the 1997 Heisman Trophy with the Vols.
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Heupel runs a quarterback-friendly offense that could be attractive for Manning, especially with the family ties.
Indiana
Manning doesn't have any obvious connections to Indiana, but third-year coach Curt Cignetti has a track record of developing final-year quarterbacks such as Manning.
All three of Cignetti's quarterbacks with the Hoosiers — Kurtis Rourke, Fernando Mendoza and Josh Hoover — have been one-and-done players, similar to what Manning would be if he entered the transfer portal. It also wouldn't hurt that Indiana has turned into a modern power in college football.
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LSU
Manning nearly chose Kiffin and Ole Miss out of high school. Maybe he'd choose Kiffin again out of the transfer portal, this time as the quarterback at LSU.
Sam Leavitt still has another season of eligibility left, but if he were to enter the 2027 NFL Draft, maybe Kiffin gives Manning a look. Kiffin's quarterbacks since he took the job at Ole Miss have all excelled, from Matt Corral to Jaxson Dart, Trinidad Chambliss and now Leavitt.
Manning also attended Isidore Newman High School in New Orleans, which is just over an hour drive from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where LSU is located.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Arch Manning transfer speculation heating up. 5 landing spots if QB leaves Texas
