The college football world is buzzing with anticipation as we head into the 2025 season, and there’s one name that’s already making waves: Arch Manning. As the nephew of legends Peyton and Eli Manning, Arch comes with a storied family legacy, and after a couple of years in the wings at Texas, he’s set to take center stage this fall.
Arch Manning arrived at Texas as a five-star recruit, and while he redshirted his first year and spent much of 2024 as Quinn Ewers’ backup, he’s had his moments on the field, stepping in during Ewers’ injury spells. Now, it’s his time to shine as the Longhorns’ full-time starting quarterback. ESPN’s college football analyst Paul Finebaum is certainly not holding back on the expectations, suggesting Arch might be the best talent to hit the college scene since Tim Tebow back in 2006. That’s no small praise, considering Tebow’s storied college career.
Adding fuel to the fire of expectations is Peyton Manning, who knows a thing or two about the game. Peyton has issued what essentially amounts to a heads-up to college football: Arch Manning’s arm strength is something special, reportedly surpassing even his own.
Speaking at an event, Peyton couldn’t hide his excitement for his nephew’s debut. “I’m excited to watch Arch play,” he shared. “He threw the ball really well at the camp. He and Garrett Nussmeier at our three throwing expeditions really threw the ball well — all the quarterbacks throw the ball well. It’s impressive. They make throws that I can’t even think about making. Arch made a throw the other day that I’d have to hit the cutoff man to get the ball to the actual receiver.”
Coming from a quarterback who has seen it all, that’s quite the endorsement. Peyton has witnessed many talented quarterbacks at his Manning Passing Academy, and his praise for Arch’s ability to make seemingly impossible throws speaks volumes about the young quarterback’s potential.
As we look towards the fall, the excitement is palpable. The University of Texas has a new leader under center, and with sky-high expectations surrounding Arch Manning, fans and analysts alike are eagerly anticipating what he will bring to the field. This season promises to be a thrilling ride as Arch steps out of the Manning shadow and aims to carve his own legacy in college football.
