Arch Manning pokes uncles Peyton, Eli over not being gifted the same speed as him

The Manning family is known for its long line of talented quarterbacks. It’s not necessarily known for everyone being the fastest, though, which makes the speed Arch Manning has already flashed for the Texas Longhorns that much more impressive.

At SEC Media Days, Arch had the chance to poke some fun at his uncles, Peyton and Eli. He explained that there is plenty of speed in the family. They just didn’t happen to get any of it, and that’s something that can’t be taught.

“Well, I think my dad was pretty fast,” Arch Manning said. “I know my mom was fast. So, I think I got it from them. They just didn’t get it to Eli and Peyton, but they got a lot.”

Arch Manning came to college with massive expectations, partially because of his family and partially because he was the top-ranked recruit in the Class of 2023. That speed and athleticism were major reasons, though not the only ones, why he was so highly regarded. In the limited playing time he’s had, Arch has also shown it off already. He’s rushed for 115 career yards and four touchdowns. That’s a 4.3 yards per attempt average, remembering that sacks come off a quarterback’s rushing totals.

For a little comparison, Peyton Manning rushed for -181 yards in his Tennessee career. Eli Manning did a little better at Ole Miss, rushing for -135 yards. So, it’s safe to say that Arch is going to offer the Longhorns a duel-threat option that his uncles were never able to provide.

Notably, however, as Arch pointed out, there are others in the Manning family who had a bit more in their legs. His father, Cooper, played wide receiver before an injury ended his career. On top of that, Archie Manning, his grandfather, was actually known for his legs at the quarterback position during his own playing career. Archie rushed for 823 yards and 25 touchdowns in three seasons at Ole Miss. In the NFL, he’d have 2,197 yards and 18 touchdowns on the ground. So, it appears the two do share more than a name.

Peyton Manning credits brother Cooper for Arch’s ‘swagger’

For all the good things that can be said about the Manning family as quarterbacks, they’re not often associated with swagger. However, Arch Manning appears to have a bit more of that than his uncles. It’s something Peyton Manning attributed to Cooper’s influence.

“They moxy, that was his Dad,” Peyton Manning said recently. “Cooper was a cocky wide receiver that was open every time in the huddle, as you can imagine. I think my sophomore year of high school, I was the quarterback. Cooper was a senior. I think I completed 120 passes, I threw 90 of them to my brother. And he would’ve liked all 120. He did not care about his teammates or his friends. I think that little swagger comes from his Dad and that’s good to see.”

Arch Manning is going to look to make a quick impact as a starter in 2025. That’s going to start with a massive opening test on the road against Ohio State.