Arch Manning Takes NIL Pay Cut to Strengthen Texas Roster
Arch Manning is doing something rare in college football, voluntarily taking a smaller share of Texas’ NIL revenue pool to help improve the roster around him for the 2026 season. Similar to pro athletes like Tom Brady, Patrick Mahomes, and LeBron James who’ve sacrificed pay to support stronger teams, Manning asked Texas to redistribute part of his direct NIL payout so the program can invest more in key positions. While college football doesn’t have a formal salary cap, Texas operates within a finite NIL “house pool.” Even as one of the wealthiest programs, the Longhorns still have to budget and Manning’s decision frees up money for transfers and roster upgrades. Why it matters: - Texas’ offensive line struggled last season, limiting Manning’s development - Two offensive linemen are already gone after the Citrus Bowl - Left tackle Trevor Goosby (First-Team All-SEC) may enter the NFL Draft - Texas is also targeting Florida RB Jadan Baugh, who would require significant NIL resources Manning isn’t hurting financially. He earned over $3.5M in NIL deals in 2025 and has partnerships with Red Bull, Panini, Uber, and Warby Parker. His star power allows him to step back from shared NIL funds that many other athletes rely on. This move signals a shift toward team-first NIL strategy, prioritizing roster construction and long-term success over maximizing individual payouts. It’s a professional-level mindset showing up early in the NIL era.