Arch Manning was born into football royalty, but that doesn’t mean he seeks the spotlight. No matter where he goes, attention follows—thanks to his Hall of Fame lineage. However, it’s not just his last name that’s drawing interest. A recent video of the Texas Longhorns quarterback showcasing his basketball skills left fans impressed, fueling speculation that he excels in any sport he plays. Yet, despite the growing hype, Manning remains focused on proving himself on the field. In his own words, he doesn’t feel like a star until he earns it. Now, with Quinn Ewers heading to the NFL, the 19-year-old is stepping into the starting quarterback role for Texas. The big question remains—will he live up to expectations, or is it all just noise?
When choosing a college, Manning had his pick of top programs. So why did he choose Texas? In an interview with ESPN, he explained that he admired head coach Steve Sarkisian and felt at home in Austin, from the atmosphere to the people. But there was another reason.
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“Most importantly, I wanted to go somewhere that maybe hadn’t been great in recent years but was on the rise,” Manning stated. His goal for 2025 is clear—he wants to restore Texas to prominence.
For Longhorn fans, his words were exactly what they wanted to hear. But what stands out most is his mindset. Manning isn’t relying on his famous last name; he’s determined to carve out his own legacy. For him, football isn’t just about family tradition—it’s about passion, hard work, and bringing Texas back to the top. With his confidence and commitment, the future of the Longhorns looks promising.
On the NIL front, Manning ranks at the top of NIL 100 and College Football NIL rankings, boasting 456,000 social media followers. A 2% dip in value—dropping from $6.6 million to $6.5 million—didn’t deter him from signing endorsement deals. Initially, he followed his grandfather Archie Manning’s guidance by waiting until he became a starter before accepting NIL deals, a decision he fully supported. Rather than taking money based on his family name, he wanted to earn his own way. Now, with partnerships including EA Sports’ College Football video game and Red Bull, Manning is proving he’s worth the investment.
Texas made a strong statement in the 2024 College Football Playoffs, finishing with a 13-3 record. They opened with a 38-24 victory over Clemson in the first round and followed up with a 39-31 win against Arizona State. However, their journey ended in the semifinals with a 14-28 loss to Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl.
Manning played a crucial role in Texas’ success. His completion rate jumped from 40% in 2023 to 67.8% in 2024, and he threw for 939 yards with nine touchdowns. His longest pass also saw a major improvement, increasing from 17 yards to 75 yards—a remarkable 58-yard leap. These numbers highlight his commitment to growth and development.
As the nephew of Super Bowl champions Peyton and Eli Manning, Arch acknowledges the “undeserved attention” that comes with his last name. However, his performance speaks to his potential. He has said that his 2025 season will be the true test of whether he’s earned the right to carry his family’s legacy. With all eyes on him, football fans are eager to see if he can lead Texas back to national prominence.