Texas quarterback Arch Manning has put his draft stock in question with poor play this season. Manning has a first-round skill set with a strong arm, size, and ability to run. However, he had struggles with field vision, shaky decision making, and inconsistent accuracy. After losing the game for his team against Oklahoma with two terrible second-half interceptions, Manning was unable to bounce back against Florida against a secondary recently lit up by Missouri and South Carolina. Tigers quarterback Austin Simmons and Gamecock trigger man LaNorris Sellers have been more effective in recent weeks against the Gators than Manning. And Florida’s backup quarterback beat Manning to hand Manning his first home loss as the Longhorns’ starter.
In the first quarter, Manning showed the issues he was having when he stared down a screen pass that was heavily covered and threw the ball for a catch. This is a dangerous throw that can be missed. Later in the first half, Manning threw the ball deep down the field into double coverage, and he was lucky it was incomplete as the Gators cornerback knocked the ball out of the hands of the Florida safety. Those plays depict his struggles. Manning doesn’t get into any rhythm as a passer and keeps his throws short and safe. He couldn’t get the ball to his first-round talent receiver Cam Coleman. Entering the fourth quarter, Manning was just 10-of-14 for 77 yards. Texas had 17 points with a rushing touchdown and a special teams touchdown.
In the fourth quarter, Manning rolled and took a bad sack when he threw the ball instead of trying to outrun multiple Gator defenders. Late in the fourth quarter, Manning was on fourth-and-7 down at the 10 with less than six minutes left. Manning made a great play to break a sack, then went up and threw a deep ball strike while hitting the face for a 62-yard completion. Two plays later, Manning threw a bullet to Cam Coleman for a touchdown to cut the Gators’ lead to 27-24. Those two throws were the best plays of the day for Manning, but the comeback vibes didn’t last long.
On After getting the ball back near midfield down three, Florida sent a blitz up the middle to Manning. While being driven to the ground, Manning had poor ball security and stripped the ball. The Gators recovered to take possession of Texas territory with two minutes remaining. It was an ugly play because Manning had a receiver wide open in the flat on the first play, and he didn’t make the throw while holding the ball too long and then committed a game-losing turnover. Manning finished completing 14-of-20 passes for 173 yards with a touchdown.
Regarding the NFL and the 2027 NFL Draft, Manning will likely return to Texas next season for his football development. If he were to enter the draft, he could still be a first-round pick, as many teams need a young starter and Manning has a great skill set and family pedigree. However, as a player, he needs to improve his field vision, accuracy, and decision making. Given the family history, it wouldn’t be surprising if Manning would go back to school and look to improve before taking on the NFL.
Texas edge rusher Colin Simmons has been one of the best players in college football this season regardless of position, and he enters this game as the nation’s leader in sacks. Simmons was active in the first half, making tackles and causing some disruption in the backfield. In the third quarter, Simmons made a clutch sack using speed to get up and then ducking under the right tackle to get to the quarterback for a third-down sack that sent his offense back down the field. However, early in the fourth quarter, Simmons went down with a foot injury. He landed on the sideline and then was taken to the locker room. Hopefully the injury isn’t too bad, because I have Simmons as one of the first players off the board in my latest 2027 NFL Mock Draft. If Simmons can avoid a major injury, he looks like a lock for the top-10 next April.
Another high first-round pick next April for Texas is Trevor Goosby left, and he will be up against some very good young defensive linemen from Florida who will be early-round picks in the 2028 NFL Draft. Goosby has been very good this season, and that continued against the Gators. Goosby put in a clinic and did very well.
As a pass blocker, Goosby is difficult to get around due to his immense size and length. He shows the athleticism to slide his feet and his drop depth to cut off the edge from speed rushers. With quality speed, Goosby can get to his spot and nullify the ability of rushers to hit him. With his mass, he’s also tough to beat on a bull rush, as Goosby is a load for defensive ends to get moving back. Goosby has the talent to be an effective pass blocker.
In the ground game, Goosby is special. In a passing-driven game, there are many finesse left tackles who excel in pass protection but struggle to make any push or move in the ground game. Goosby is a well-rounded blocker as he is reliable in pass protection and an absolute bull in the ground game. At the point of attack, Goosby is a mauler with the power to block and push his defender back. He can reset the line of scrimmage and create space for his back to run behind him. Goosby shows strength to keep blocks, and he will bury defenders with violence. Goosby is also good at crashing down on defensive tackles and sealing the back for his back. Goosby looks to be a real asset as a run blocker in the pros. Goosby looks like a legit top-10 pick next April and a potential franchise left tackle.
Florida running back Jadan Baugh was dominant early in the season before slowing in recent weeks against Missouri and South Carolina. Baugh ran hard against the Texas defense and had some critical yards in the second half to help give the Gators the lead. Midway through the fourth quarter, Baugh showed his vision and took a snap when a run looked stalled, but he saw a defender overpursue, and he busted him outside on a burst to sprint into the open field for an 11-yard touchdown. Baugh finished with 91 yards on 25 carries with the game-winning score. Baugh is a legit first-round pick because he’s a good runner with power, vision, speed, instincts, and versatility. This tape will help him become an opening-night pick in the NFL Draft.
Texas safety Jelani McDonald had good tape against the Gators. McDonald had a great open-field tackle on Florida speedster receiver Eric Singleton to get his defense on the field. McDonald also had a big hit on Baugh downfield on a chunk run. The big, strong Baugh was briefly knocked out of the game. McDonald is a well-rounded safety who helps cover deep, in the middle of the field, and makes tackles in the ground game. This tape will help McDonald become an early-round pick next April.