Infomastaro

By Jordan SiglerShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberPrefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.

Texas quarterback Arch Manning was the highest-paid player in college football last season.

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Per The Athletic, Manning made $6.8 million for the 2025 season. He led the Longhorns to a 10-3 record during his first season as a starter.

For that steep investment, Manning threw for 3,163 yards, 27 touchdowns and seven interceptions and added 399 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground.

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Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian thinks Manning is worth more than what the program is paying him to play in 2026.

Manning chose to return to play for the Longhorns instead of entering the 2026 NFL Draft, where he would have signed a major rookie contract and would have been a year closer to signing his first contract extension.

During an appearance with On3's Andy & Ari on Thursday, Chris Low claimed that Sarkisian believes Manning is the most underpaid quarterback in college football.

"I think his quote to me was, 'Arch is probably the most underpaid quarterback in college football from what we're paying.'...He says he still has a text from (Arch's father) Cooper (Manning) saying, 'We're not taking a dime. We want you to go out and get great players. And you can show this text to every player you recruit.' And that's a big help."

Sarkisian clearly understands the current economics for starting quarterbacks in college football. Brendan Sorsby is reportedly receiving nearly $5 million to play for Texas Tech in 2026.

Texas and Sarkisian would have likely paid more for Manning's services, but the young quarterback wanted to give the Longhorns a discount so they could go out and build a better roster.

Manning wants to develop under Sarkisian with elite players around him, hoping that pays off for his career in the long run. Maybe some transfer portal additions like wide receiver Cam Coleman and running back Hollywood Smothers could help Texas make a run for the College Football Playoff in 2026.

For more on the NCAA, head to Newsweek Sports.

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