Arch Manning Lands on Davey O’Brien Award Preseason Watch List

Texas quarterback Arch Manning has been named to the preseason watch list for the Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award for the second consecutive season, the foundation announced Thursday. The award annually recognizes college football’s top quarterback, and Manning is among 30 players included on this year’s initial list. The senior has also appeared on preseason watch lists for the Maxwell Award, Walter Camp Player of the Year Award and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award. He was selected to Walter Camp’s preseason All-America first team and earned second-team preseason All-SEC recognition from both league media and coaches.

Manning started all 13 games for Texas in 2025, completing 248 of 404 passes for 3,163 yards and 26 touchdowns while adding 399 rushing yards and a team-high 10 rushing scores. He produced three games with at least 300 passing yards, three passing touchdowns and no interceptions, tying Baylor’s Sawyer Robertson and Ohio State’s Julian Sayin for the most such performances by a Power Conference quarterback during the regular season. Manning closed the year by earning Citrus Bowl MVP honors in Texas’ 41-27 victory over Michigan, accounting for 376 total yards and four touchdowns. He threw for 221 yards and two scores while setting a career high with 155 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

The Longhorns finished 10-3 in Manning’s first full season as the starting quarterback, securing the program’s third straight 10-win campaign and winning seven of their final eight games. Texas went 5-2 against AP Top 20 opponents, including three victories over top-10 teams. Manning also earned three Davey O’Brien Great 8 selections during the 2025 season, including recognition for his performance against Michigan. The award’s midseason watch list will be released Nov. 3, followed by semifinalists on Nov. 17, finalists on Nov. 24 and the winner announcement Dec. 11 during ESPN’s Home Depot College Football Awards.