Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning received another individual honor this week as Steve Sarkisian’s team prepares for its rivalry matchup against the Oklahoma Sooners.
The Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation announced on Thursday that Manning was named one of the Top 15 candidates for the 2026 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, presented annually to the nation’s top upperclassman quarterback.
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Manning was one of 27 FBS quarterbacks selected to the award’s preseason watch list on Aug. 19, marking his second consecutive year on the list, and he made the top-15 cut a third through the college football season.
In four starts this season, Manning has led No. 1 Texas to a 4-0 record and a 1-0 mark in SEC play. He has completed 73 of 115 passes for 862 yards and seven touchdowns while adding 82 rushing yards.
The fourth-year quarterback has also guided Texas to two wins over AP Top 25 opponents, including a 24-23 victory over then-No. 1 Ohio State on Sept. 12.
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Manning completed 23 of 37 passes for 195 yards and a touchdown in that game and directed three consecutive touchdown drives to close the comeback. The Longhorns quarterback was named SEC Co-Offensive Player of the Week then.
In his most recent outing, Manning completed 14 of 19 passes for 201 yards in a road win over No. 14 Tennessee.
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/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Manning is joined in this year’s Top 15 by other top-tier quarterbacks and Hisman Trophy candidates, including CJ Carr, Gunner Stockton, Dante Moore, Julian Sayin and Demond Williams Jr.
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The announcement arrived just two days before Manning leads Texas into the Red River Rivalry against Oklahoma.
No. 1 Texas faces Oklahoma on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, with the game airing on ABC.
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This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Oct 10, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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