AUSTIN, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 5: Texas Longhorns quarterback #16 Arch Manning in shotgun formation vs. Texas State on September 5, 2026 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by The University of Texas Athletics/University Images via Getty Images)
AUSTIN, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 5: Texas Longhorns quarterback #16 Arch Manning in shotgun formation vs. Texas State on September 5, 2026 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by The University of Texas Athletics/University Images via Getty Images)

The Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation announced today that Texas football’s Arch Manning, a returning starter under center and a fourth-year player for the Longhorns, has named among the top 15 candidates for this year’s Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award. The honor is given each season to the nation’s top upperclassman quarterback.

Manning was among 27 signal callers to land on the award’s preseason watch-list earlier this year.

Texas quarterbacks have history with the award in recent years.

In 2024, former Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers made the cut for the award’s top 10 candidates.

Former Longhorn Colt McCoy took it a step further when he won the award in 2009 — the last season in which Texas football won their way into the national championship game, where they lost to Alabama.

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING ABOUT THE LONGHORNS

Austin American-Statesman: Will injured middle blocker Nya Bunton play this weekend for Texas volleyball?

Dallas Morning News: Before Texas-OU, Manning brothers share lessons from Archie that helped shape Arch in Austin

247Sports: Freshman Jermaine Bishop Jr. has earned a role for the Texas Longhorns. What comes next?

Inside Texas: Everything Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian said in his Thursday press conference

Inside Texas: How Texas coach Steve Sarkisian has some Nick Saban in him in rivalry games

ICYMI IN BURNT ORANGE NATION

Texas TE room’s ‘versatility’ isn’t showing up in the passing game

Oklahoma somehow came out of the bye week even more injured

Initial injury report released for No. 1 Texas vs. Oklahoma

2028 four-star RB Micah Rhodes commits to Texas

RECRUITING ROUNDUP

Austin American-Statesman: Texas passed on Jaiden Fields. Now he’s headed to rival OU.

247Sports: Texas offer makes strong impression on 2028 4-star safety Savion James

247Sports: ACC commit set for Texas visit

Inside Texas: Longhorns Recruiting Intel: Four-star WR commit sets OV, Texas offers unique 2028 DB, plus 2027 LB news to know

SEC SHOWDOWN

Austin American-Statesman: What the return of Hollywood Smothers means for Texas football vs OU

Austin American-Statesman: ‘No freakin’ way’: Why Red River Rivalry should never leave Dallas, other top questions

Dallas Morning News: Oklahoma coach Brent Venables justified in scathing analysis of weak spot

Houston Chronicle: How can Texas beat OU for a third year in a row? Run, run, run.

247Sports: The Insider: The Coach shares where the blind spots – and opportunities – are for No. 1 Texas versus Oklahoma

247Sports: Horns247 Staff Predictions: No. 1 Texas versus Oklahoma

Inside Texas: What Brent Venables, Steve Sarkisian said about OU TD drought vs. Texas

Inside Texas: Sarkisian calls OU’s interior duo ‘elite,’ says Georgia score is misleading

Inside Texas: Texas vs. Oklahoma: Four scenarios for how the Red River Rivalry could play out

Rock M Nation: Mizzou vs Texas A&M Q&A with Robert Behrens of Good Bull Hunting

And The Valley Shook: Our offense vs. their defense: Kentucky Wildcats

Red Cup Rebellion: A diagnostics check before Vanderbilt

Rocky Top Talk: Tennessee should attempt to open up passing attack against Arkansas

Dawg Sports: 3 things that worry me about Alabama

A Sea Of Blue: Nic Anderson’s career revival comes when Kentucky football desperately needed it

WHAT WE’RE READING

SB Nation: Exclusive: FSU, Miami, Clemson, UNC ask Congress to change Protect College Sports Act’s realignment rules

SB Nation: 3 takeaways from Caitlin Clark’s Fever exit interview

SB Nation: VJ Edgecombe can be the supercharged role player 76ers need around LeBron James

NEWS ACROSS LONGHORN NATION AND BEYOND

  • A quick stroll down memory lane.

Source: Yahoo Sports