This summer we’ll be exploring the top 10 offensive and defensive players Mizzou football is slated to face this fall. We’re not ranking them 1-10, it’s much more scientific then that (or linguistic since we are just ordering them alphabetically.) We’re halfway through the TTOP exercise for 2026 and we’ve finally hit a former Tiger on the list. Before we jump into that, take a look at our first five TTOP here:
Mario Craver and Leroy Harris III
Trinidad Chambliss and Peyton Bowen
Arch Manning
School: Texas
Hometown: New Orleans, La.
Position: QB
Class: Junior
Height: 6-4
Weight: 226 lbs.
What He’s Done
No player in college football has faced more scrutiny than Arch Manning.
From the moment he signed with Texas, the grandson of Archie Manning and nephew of Peyton and Eli Manning carried expectations unlike any quarterback in recent memory. By the start of the 2025 season, he may have been the most hyped quarterback in college football history with just two career starts to his name.
Manning arrived at Texas as the nation’s No. 1 overall recruit in the 2023 class after starring at Isidore Newman School in New Orleans. At 6-4 and 225 lbs., he possesses prototypical NFL size, a strong arm and surprising athleticism that allows him to create outside the pocket.
After spending most of his first two seasons behind Quinn Ewers, Manning finally took over as Texas’ full-time starter in 2025. Despite the unprecedented expectations, he delivered a season worthy of the hype.
Manning completed 61 percent of his passes for 3,163 yards, 26 touchdowns and seven interceptions while adding 399 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns. His ability to extend plays with his legs added another dimension to an already explosive Texas offense, and he steadily improved as the season progressed.
Although he fell short of the Heisman Trophy that many projected for him before the season, Manning finished the year playing some of his best football. His decision-making became more consistent, his accuracy improved and he looked increasingly comfortable directing one of the nation’s most talented offenses.
The statistics were impressive, but more importantly, they reinforced the belief that Manning is still only scratching the surface of his potential.
What He’ll Do
If Manning was the face of college football entering 2025, he may become its defining player in 2026.
He returns as one of the leading Heisman Trophy favorites while directing an offense loaded with elite talent at virtually every position. Texas continues to recruit at an elite level, giving Manning one of the deepest supporting casts in the country and a legitimate opportunity to compete for both an SEC championship and a national title.
That combination of quarterback talent and surrounding playmakers makes the Longhorns exceptionally difficult to defend. Defenses that dedicate resources to slowing Texas’ running game leave Manning opportunities downfield. Those that prioritize the passing attack risk getting overwhelmed by the Longhorns’ balance.
There is little left for Manning to prove as a prospect. The next step is translating his immense talent into college football’s biggest individual awards and, perhaps more importantly, a national championship.
Anything less will likely be viewed as a disappointment given the expectations surrounding both Manning and Texas.
Mizzou Matchup
One of the marquee games on Mizzou’s 2026 schedule comes when Texas visits Columbia. It will be the first meeting between the programs in nine years and, more significantly, their first conference matchup since the Longhorns came to Columbia (and lost) in 2011.
Slowing Manning will be the biggest challenge Corey Batoon’s defense faces all season. Unlike many quarterbacks, Manning can beat defenses in multiple ways. He has the arm strength to attack every level of the field, the mobility to escape pressure and enough experience to recognize disguised coverages before the snap. Add in one of the nation’s most talented supporting casts, and there are very few obvious weaknesses for opposing defenses to exploit.
The Tigers’ best chance will be disrupting Manning before plays have time to develop. Consistent pressure with four rushers would allow Batoon to keep extra defenders in coverage and prevent Texas’ explosive receivers from finding favorable matchups downfield. Even then, containing Manning for four quarters is easier said than done.
He enters 2026 with Heisman expectations once again, and this time the hype is backed by a full season of elite production. If Mizzou hopes to pull off one of the biggest wins of the season, it will almost certainly have to outplay one of the sport’s brightest stars.
Jelani McDonald
School: Texas
Hometown: Waco, Texas
Position: DB
Class: Senior
Height: 6-2
Weight: 200 lbs.
What He’s Done
Jelani McDonald arrived at Texas as a highly regarded defensive back from Waco, Texas, and gradually worked his way into a larger role. After recording just two tackles as a freshman in 2023, he became a regular contributor in 2024, finishing with 33 tackles and an interception.
The breakout came in 2025 when McDonald became one of the leaders of a talented Texas secondary, finishing the season with 80 tackles, three interceptions, one fumble recovery and three pass deflections. His 80 tackles were particularly impressive for a defensive back, showcasing his ability to impact games both in coverage and near the line of scrimmage.
What makes McDonald such a valuable player is his versatility. He has the athletic ability to play multiple roles in the secondary while still providing the physicality necessary to support against the run. Texas can move him around the formation, allowing him to match up with different offensive concepts and create uncertainty for opposing quarterbacks.
That skill set helped him become one of the most productive defenders on a Texas roster filled with elite talent.
What He’ll Do
McDonald enters 2026 with major expectations after earning preseason recognition from Phil Steele as a second-team All-SEC selection and third-team All-American. His combination of instincts, physicality and coverage ability gives him the tools to become one of the premier safeties in the country.
The next step will be continuing to turn production into game-changing plays. While McDonald already showed the ability to make an impact with 80 tackles and three interceptions, another year of experience could allow him to become even more disruptive.
His versatility is particularly valuable in today’s game. Safeties who can cover receivers, play in the box and disguise coverages before the snap are among the most important defenders on the field. McDonald fits that profile perfectly.
With Texas loaded with talent around him and McDonald entering the season with national recognition, a first-team All-SEC season is firmly within reach.
Mizzou Matchup
Mizzou’s first matchup with Texas in nine years will bring one of the most talented rosters in the country to Columbia, and McDonald will be one of the biggest challenges facing the Tigers’ offense.
The challenge with McDonald is that he does not fit neatly into one category. He is not simply a deep safety waiting to make plays over the top. He is a versatile defender who can impact the game in multiple ways, which makes him difficult for opposing offenses to isolate.
For Chip Lindsey and Austin Simmons, identifying McDonald before the snap will be critical. Texas has the personnel to disguise coverages and force quarterbacks into difficult decisions, and McDonald is one of the players who makes that possible.
Mizzou will need to be patient offensively and avoid allowing McDonald to dictate the game. Testing him vertically could create opportunities, but forcing throws into his coverage could quickly swing momentum toward the Longhorns.
The Tigers will also need to account for his willingness to come downhill against the run. His 80 tackles last season showed that he is not a player who simply waits for plays to come to him.
When Texas and Mizzou meet, McDonald will represent one of the biggest tests for the Tigers’ offense. A year ago, he announced himself as one of the SEC’s rising defensive stars. In 2026, he enters Columbia looking to prove he belongs among the very best defenders in the conference.
