Urban Meyer states Arch Manning living up to the hype is 'up in the air'

There are few players who have received more hype in their college careers than Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning has. Given his family, which includes three NFL quarterbacks, and his status as the top recruit in the Class of 2023, it’s not a surprise he’s received that attention. Now, Manning has to live up to that.

For the first two seasons of his college career, Arch Manning largely backed up Quinn Ewers. Now, with Ewers moving on, Manning is stepping in to become the next starter in Austin. That means the pressure is going to be on to perform at a high level.

Former head coach and current analyst Urban Meyer knows how difficult it can be for quarterbacks to live up to expectations. Now, going into the 2025 season, his question is whether or not it’s possible for Manning to live up to the hype because he isn’t yet convinced it’s going to happen.

“The question I have,” Urban Meyer said on The Triple Option. “Will Arch Manning live up to the hype? I think it’s up in the air. I really do.”

In 2024, Arch Manning appeared in 10 games for Texas. In that playing time, which largely came as a backup, he completed 67.8% of his passes for 939 yards and nine touchdowns with two interceptions. He also flashed his rushing ability, gaining 108 yards and another four touchdowns on the ground.

“Yeah, I’ve got to study the personnel around him because every great quarterback has something in common and great players around him. I’m sure they do. I just don’t know enough about them right now,” Meyer said. “But just the pressure on that player to be what he’s supposed to be at that school, and from what I’ve seen, he’s a good player. I’ve not seen that at this level yet.”

Texas is coming off a phenomenal first season in the SEC, which saw the Longhorns go 13-3 overall and 7-1 in SEC play. They’d take on and lose to the Georgia Bulldogs in the SEC Championship Game before going to the College Football Playoff and winning two games there.

At a school with high standards, Arch Manning is now inheriting a team coming off its best season in nearly two decades. Fans are now going to want to get over the hump and there is an expectation that, given his pedigree, Manning is going to lead them over that hump.

The 2025 season starts with an immediate major test. Texas travels to Columbus to take on defending national champions Ohio State for Week 1. From the beginning, Arch Manning will need to be at his best.