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Arch Manning watches Joe Burrow, Josh Allen to help mold his game

by:Alex Byington•06/27/25•

_AlexByington

Burrow-ArchManning-Allen
Joe Burrow (Sam Greene/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images) | Arch Manning (Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images) | Josh Allen (Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)

Arch Manning was undoubtedly the star of the show during Friday’s media availability on the second day of the Manning Passing Academy held annually at Nicholls State in Thibodaux, Louisiana. And as reporters gathered around the Texas‘ new starting quarterback, the latest Manning scion held court discussing everything from his favorite Austin hotspots to Longhorn positional evaluations.

But as the rest of the college football world eagerly anticipates Manning’s debut as Texas’ new QB1, the 21-year-old Longhorns superstar identified several NFL superstars he regularly monitors for ways to improve his own game.

“I watch a lot of Joe Burrow and Josh Allen, those are my guys,” Arch Manning said Friday afternoon from Thibodaux. “Obviously, (Patrick) Mahomes. I like to take bits and pieces from everyone and I like watching the other guys, the other great (quarterbacks).”

Allen and Burrow, as well as Mahomes, are among the NFL’s best at their position, so it’s no surprise Manning likes to model his game after each of them. Allen is coming off his first MVP season after combining for 40 total touchdowns (28 passing, 12 rushing) while tying for the NFL lead with a 77.3 QBR. Burrow, meanwhile, led the NFL in passing with 4,918 yards and 43 touchdowns with a 74.7 QBR in 2024.

After two seasons as the much-ballyhooed backup to Quinn Ewers at Texas, Manning is entering his first season as the Longhorns’ unquestioned QB1 and he’s already receiving plenty of NFL buzz.

And while there’s no certainty he’ll even enter the 2026 NFL Draft after just one season as Texas’ starter, the nephew of legendary NFL QBs Peyton and Eli Manning — as well as the grandson of famed New Orleans Saints great Archie Manning — that hasn’t stopped pundits and NFL scouts alike from ranking him as the potential No. 1 overall pick in next year’s draft class.

Of course, for his part, the younger Manning is just been focused on what’s ahead for him this season in Austin — even if he’s enjoying the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of some of his favorite NFL quarterbacks as a collegiate councilor at his family’s annual football clinic.

“I remember watching Josh Allen here, when he was at Wyoming, throw it 75 yards. It’s cool to see where he’s at now,” Arch Manning said as another reporter pointed out he was sporting some Burrow-like Aviator sunglasses. “That’s right. Yeah. Joe Burrow has all the swag and style, (so) I don’t know if I have as much as him.”