Arch Manning: Last name provided ‘undeserved attention’ early in career

Arch Manning continued to stay humble despite signing an NIL deal with Red Bull and preparing for a 2025 season where he’s the unquestioned starting QB at Texas.

But he hasn’t earned anything yet. That’s not us saying that, it’s Manning himself, despite showing the flashes that made him the top overall prospect in his recruiting class.

Two years of learning and developing under Steve Sarkisian and behind Quinn Ewers, Manning appears to be ready to showcase his talent.

“I think a lot of undeserved attention, but hopefully it gets more deserving in the next few months,” Manning said of the attention, particularly because of his last name. “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.”

Over the course of two seasons, Manning got on the field a lot more in 2024. Not only can he sling, he can run around like his grandfather Archie.

Manning is 63-of-95 passing (66.3%) for 969 yards, nine touchdowns and two interceptions. On the ground, he has 28 carries for 115 yards, four touchdowns and 4.1 yards per carry.

Manning doesn’t necessarily want to create his own legacy like Hall of Fame uncle Peyton Manning and future Hall of Famer, his other uncle, Eli Manning.

“Yeah, I never really think about that. I’m just here to play football,” Manning said. “It’s a game I love, grew up playing. You’re out there with your friends playing every Saturday. What could get better than that? I’m not here to take someone off the throne or like I’m not worried about my legacy. I’m just worried about playing ball and winning games.”

As a member of the Class of 2023, Arch Manning was a five-star-plus recruit out of New Orleans (La.) Isidore Newman, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 1 overall prospect in the state, the No. 1 quarterback in the class and the No. 1 overall prospect in the class.

With Ewers off to the NFL, Manning takes over at QB for Texas. After back to back College Football Playoff semifinal appearances, there’s no doubt there’s pressure for the Longhorns to get over the hump.

Certainly with Manning at the controls, the Longhorns will have a chance to get it done.