Arch Manning Won’t Declare, Meet the Quarterback Ready to Steal The Spotlight
Arch Manning Will Not Declare For The 2026 NFL Draft
Texas’s new starting quarterback, Arch Manning, is already taking the college football world by storm. Most projections have him as the first quarterback—and first overall pick—yet he will not declare for the 2026 NFL Draft class.
Both of Arch’s uncles, Eli and Peyton, stayed for all four years at their respective colleges. Now heading into his third season with the Longhorns, Arch is, in typical Manning fashion, likely to stick around for another year at Texas. Then again, his grandfather Archie left college after just three seasons and, in a bit of irony, Archie has weighed in on teams potentially tanking for the Longhorns’ quarterback.
“Arch isn’t gonna do that; he’ll be at Texas,” he told Texas Monthly.
With Arch out, the big question is simple—who’s QB1?
Introducing Cade Klubnik, the 2026 QB1
Cade Klubnik, from the Clemson Tigers, will be the first quarterback taken off the board come next April. Klubnik finished his 2024 campaign with,
- 63.4% completion percentage (308 of 486)
- 3639 passing yards
- 36 passing touchdowns
- 6 interceptions
Numbers-wise, Klubnik had an incredible season. But stats only tell part of the story. Turn on the tape, and it’s clear—this kid’s got wheels.
When Clemson faced NC State in Week 4 of last season, Cade Klubnik sprinted on a 55-yard touchdown run, reaching a top speed of over 21 mph.
But Klubnik isn’t just a threat with his legs—he’s incredibly accurate through the air. Against the Texas Longhorns, the nation’s third-ranked defense, he posted:
- 60.4% completion percentage (26 of 43)
- 336 yards
- 3 passing touchdowns
- 1 interception
(In Klubnik’s defense, the one interception came from a tipped pass).
Arguably, Klubnik’s most impressive trait is his consistent ability to improve year after year, making him a prospect with an ever-rising ceiling.
SOPHOMORE YEAR STATS
- 63.9% completion percentage (290 of 454)
- 2844 passing yards
- 19 touchdowns
- 9 interceptions
The numbers don’t lie—Klubnik showed significant improvement from his sophomore to junior year. On just 18 more passing attempts, he threw:
- 795 more passing yards
- 17 more passing touchdowns
- 3 fewer interceptions
Everything Lines Up for the Next QB1
Klubnik’s growth as a quarterback is undeniable, and with one of the nation’s top receiving corps—Antonio Williams, Bryant Wesco Jr., and T.J. Moore—at his disposal, the ceiling is sky-high. Behind the scenes, guided by Dabo Swinney, a two-time national champion, nine-time ACC title winner, and multiple-time Coach of the Year. Quarterback development is a combination of nature and nurture, and the Clemson Tigers have the perfect environment to grow Klubnik’s skillset.
Clemson has everything in place for Klubnik to thrive: an elite group of receivers, a legendary coach, a top-ranked defensive line, and the #4 spot in the AP Poll. Given his track record of improving every year, expect Klubnik to surpass his previous success, cement himself as the consensus best quarterback in the nation, and even be the first name called next April.
Possible Team Fits: Cleveland Browns, New Orleans Saints, Pittsburgh Steelers
Main Photo Credit: Syndication: Austin American-Statesman
The post No Arch Manning This Year: Meet the New QB1 appeared first on Last Word on Pro Football.