Arch Manning doesn’t believe he has done enough yet to be one of the most famous players in college football.
In an interview, Manning discussed a variety of topics ahead of his first season as the starting quarterback for Texas. The former five-star recruit was a backup to Quinn Ewers in 2024 and is set to be the No. 1 QB in 2025 after Ewers moves on to the NFL.
When asked about the attention he gets because of his famous family — being the nephew of Super Bowl winners Peyton and Eli Manning and the grandson of Archie Manning — he was quick to respond.
“I think a lot of undeserved attention,” Manning said. “But hopefully it gets more deserving in the next few months.”
Manning went on to say, “I don’t think I’ve done enough yet to be taking a lot of pictures at restaurants and signing autographs. But maybe that will come eventually.”
Manning joined Texas and coach Steve Sarkisian ahead of the 2023 season as the top high school recruit in the country. When Manning arrived in Austin, Ewers was already the starter after transferring from Ohio State.
Manning started the 2023 season as the No. 3 QB, but became the primary backup when Ewers got hurt with a shoulder injury. Manning also played in the College Football Playoff when the No. 2 QB, Maalik Murphy, transferred.
Arch Manning celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the 2nd halfManning got his first real playing time in 2024 when Ewers hurt his oblique in September. Manning replaced Ewers against UTSA, then started games against Louisiana-Monroe and Mississippi State before Ewers returned for the Texas vs. Oklahoma game.
Manning scored five touchdowns in the UTSA game but had only eight more over the next nine games he played. He finished the season with 63 completions on 95 attempts for 969 yards, nine passing touchdowns, and two interceptions.
Now, with Ewers headed to the NFL, Manning will have a full off season as the expected starter. The Texas offense will likely change a lot in 2025.
Manning, who believes his game most resembles that of his grandfather Archie Manning, also rushed for four touchdowns in 2024. He is more of a rushing threat than Ewers, and while Manning may not run a lot in 2025, his ability to move the ball with his legs will be a key part of the offense.
“I think he fits his offense and his play-calling to his players,” Manning said about Sarkisian. “That’s what I like most about him. He’s smart and he’s innovative and he wants to win. He’s a competitive guy. He works really hard, prepares and he gets us in the right position to win games.”
