With Quinn Ewers declaring for the NFL Draft, the highly anticipated Arch Manning era begins in Austin, bringing championship dreams for Texas football.
Arch Manning, the nephew of NFL legends Peyton and Eli Manning, arrived in Austin as one of the most highly-touted recruits in history. His combination of arm strength, speed, and football IQ made him a standout at Isidore Newman High School in New Orleans, where he broke numerous records. However, the transition from high school to college football is never easy, especially with the pressures at Texas after coming off a College Playoff Semifinal appearance.
Manning, the number one recruit in the 2023 class, committed to the Texas Longhorns with intentions to enroll early in the spring and redshirt his freshman year. Manning sat behind former number-one recruit Quinn Ewers this past season. However, when Ewers suffered an abdominal strain in Week 3 against UTSA, Manning stepped in for the next two weeks and dominated. In his performances against UTSA, ULM, and Mississippi State, Arch Manning threw for 806 yards, rushed for 82 yards, and accounted for 9 total touchdowns (8 passing, 1 rushing) while leading the Longhorns to three victories. His standout game against Mississippi State included 325 passing yards and 2 touchdowns, showcasing his ability to command the offense with precision and confidence. Once Ewers returned, Manning was utilized in certain short-yardage and red-zone situations as a dual threat quarterback. His most notable contribution in this role came in the Lone Star Showdown against in-state rival Texas A&M with a 15-yard touchdown run to put the Horns on the board.
Entering the 2025 season, Manning is set to take the reins with lofty expectations of leading the team to a national championship. Coming off a Peach Bowl victory, the Horns are the favorite to win the national championship. Manning is currently the favorite for the Heisman Trophy, despite it being his first season as a starting quarterback. He is no stranger to the spotlight, having been a top recruit since his freshman year of high school. Since the moment he stepped onto the field at Isidore Newman, the hype surrounding him has only grown, fueled by his impressive performances and his famous NFL lineage.
Manning has embraced the challenge of stepping into the starting role at Texas, a blue blood program with a storied history and fan base hungry for a return to glory. Head coach Steve Sarkisian has expressed confidence in Manning’s readiness, tailoring the offensive playbook to leverage his unique skill set as both a passer and a runner. With a strong supporting cast and the momentum from last season’s success, the pieces are in place for a championship run.
For Manning, this season is not just about living up to the expectations tied to his last name, but it is about writing his own chapter in Longhorn history. The journey ahead will undoubtedly have its ups and downs, but if his performances so far are any indication, Manning is prepared to rise to the occasion. All eyes are on Austin as the Arch Manning era begins, and Texas fans are hoping it will lead to the ultimate prize: a national championship.
