Wearing the most famous last name in football on the back of his jersey, Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning may be the most hyped college football player in the last 30 years. Fans are about to find out if the 21-year-old can live up to expectations as he leads one of the best teams in the nation.
Why is Arch Manning in the spotlight?
Manning, the nephew of former NFL star quarterbacks Peyton and Eli, waited patiently behind starter Quinn Ewers for two seasons. He believes he’s now ready for the brightest of lights. When asked how he’s grown as a leader while watching from the sidelines, he responded in true Manning fashion.
“I think as much as it wasn’t always easy, those two years, I kind of feel like I got a lot of respect from the team and now being a more of a vocal leader, they know that it’s coming from a place of love and when I get on someone, they know I’m not just being a turd,” Manning said.
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Manning threw nine touchdowns in 10 games in 2024 and rushed for four more scores. He started against Louisiana-Monroe and Mississippi State after Ewers was injured. Though he has yet to face top-notch competition, Manning’s got the full confidence of head coach Steve Sarkisian to star in the most scrutinized conference in college football.
“When you’re a great teammate and you’re working hard, but you haven’t been that frontline guy yet, how do you take on that authoritative state when you haven’t yet done it, right?” Sarkisian said on July 15. “What we’ve had to explain to him was, you’ve earned it. You know, he’s earned it.”
Which famous relatives does Manning credit most?
The record-setting college and pro careers of uncles Peyton and Eli are the stuff of legends, but the duo have only seen their nephew play a handful of times and are not responsible for his development as a quarterback. Manning calls his grandfather, Archie, the former New Orleans Saints quarterback, his best friend and mentor.
“I get a lot of advice,” Manning said. “But I think the one thing that I kind of keep coming back to is my grandfather always tells me to be a good guy and be a good teammate, so I think I’m going to do that.”
Manning credits his father, Cooper, a former wide receiver at Ole Miss, with teaching him the game. He also gets some of his athleticism from his mom.
“My dad was pretty fast, and my mom was fast, too. I think she’s competitive, so I try to mix it up a little bit when I can,” Manning said.
Is Manning worthy of the hype?
No one doubts the 6’4” Manning’s physical tools, but some believe he is getting too much attention. ESPN analyst Jordan Rodgers remarked that the “hype train is out of control.”
As Manning made the rounds during SEC media day — with over 1,200 reporters in attendance — he shrugged off all the noise, telling those who asked he was focused on winning games.
“You know, I’m not really in the business of, this is going to sound mean, but caring what other people think,” Manning said. “I’m grateful that you all think that, but I’ve played what? Two games? I have a lot to prove.”
We may learn right away if Manning is ready. Texas plays its opening game Aug. 30 in Columbus, Ohio, against the defending national champion Buckeyes. It’s a rematch of last year’s College Football Playoff semifinal. The hype may just be getting started.
