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Texas backup quarterback Arch Manning said he intends to return to the Longhorns next season, despite rumors he would enter the NCAA transfer portal.

Speaking Monday in advance of No. 5 seed Texas’ College Football Playoff quarterfinal appearance against No. 4 Arizona State at the Peach Bowl in Atlanta, Manning said he intends to continue suiting up in burnt orange.

While the portal closed Dec. 28, players on teams still involved in bowl games have an extended window.

“I really have no plans on entering the portal or anything so I don’t really know about it, about the whole windows and everything,” Manning said.

Manning, a redshirt freshman, made the statement without a public declaration from starter Quinn Ewers about his status for 2025. Ewers hasn’t confirmed a mid-December report that he’d enter the 2025 NFL Draft. That is an option for Ewers, as is returning to Texas or transferring.

The No. 1-ranked player in the Class of 2023 coming out of Isidore Newman High School in New Orleans, Manning appeared in two games last season. But in 2024, with an abdominal injury to Ewers, Manning started two games and played in seven others.

On the season, he has completed 67.8 percent of his pass attempts (61 of 90) for 939 yards with nine touchdowns and two interceptions. He also rushed 24 times for 100 yards with four scores.

He went 2-0 as a starter against Louisiana-Monroe and Mississippi State. He has taken situational snaps since Ewers’ return.

–Field Level Media