In a text message to an ESPN reporter Monday night, Manning’s father Cooper confirmed, ‘Arch is playing football at Texas next year.’
The decision should not have come as a surprise after Texas coach Steve Sarkisian recently told reporters that Manning would benefit from another year in college.
‘He’s a young man who’s gotten better as the season’s gone on, and not only physically, but mentally, maturity-wise. I would think he’s going to want another year of that growth to put himself in position for hopefully a long career in the NFL,’ Sarkisian said. ‘And he’s got some unfinished business of what he came here to do and what he came here to accomplish.’
Sarkisian made his comments at a press event in Orlando, Florida, where the No. 14 Longhorns (9-3) will take on No. 17 Michigan in the Citrus Bowl on New Year’s Eve.
‘We had a really good football season,’ Sarkisian said. ‘We left some meat on the bone with an opportunity to be SEC champs, national champs, and so ultimately for him, I think the competitor in him is going to say, ‘Man, I sure would like another crack at trying to do those things.”
In his first season as a starter, Manning has completed 227 of 370 passes (61.4%) for 2,942 yards, with 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He’s also run for 244 yards and eight touchdowns.