The Manning family name has long been synonymous with football greatness — from Archie Manning to Peyton and Eli, and now, the spotlight turns to Arch Manning. But does Arch have what it takes to live up to the family legacy?
While fans haven’t seen much of Arch in his first two seasons at Texas, that’s largely due to sitting behind starter Quinn Ewers. When given the chance, Arch showed flashes of his potential, including leading Texas to a dominant 51-3 win in his debut. Despite the victory, Manning graded himself a “C-plus” — a sign of the high standards and humility instilled in him.
During the 2024 season, Arch completed nearly 68% of his passes for close to 1,000 yards, and his willingness to learn and stay humble has impressed both teammates and coaches.
Former Longhorns defensive back Jahdae Barron shared a story from Arch’s freshman year, where the young quarterback voluntarily offered to take his teammate’s laundry — a gesture Barron called a sign of Arch’s humility and desire to be part of the team. “The sky is the limit for that kid,” Barron said, calling him the most humble player he’s ever been around.
Tight end Gunnar Helm echoed that sentiment, saying Arch will “absolutely” live up to the hype. Helm described Manning as a down-to-earth teammate who has grown up around football but doesn’t carry an inflated ego.
With Quinn Ewers heading to the NFL, Arch is poised to take over as Texas’ starting quarterback. Head coach Steve Sarkisian is confident Manning is ready, especially after Arch led the Longhorns to a 35-13 win over Mississippi State, throwing for 325 yards and earning a solid QB rating.
More than just talent, Arch’s love for Texas and his respect for the program shine through. “Playing for Texas was always the goal,” he said. “There’s something about this place.”
Now, the stage is set for Arch Manning to carve out his own legacy — and perhaps lead the Longhorns to a national championship in 2025.