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Five plays that have NFL circles already excited about Arch Manning

by:EvanVieth•05/07/25
Arch Manning
Arch Manning (Will Gallagher/Inside Texas)

Yahoo Sports’ Nate Tice, a former Wisconsin QB, NFL scout and coach and son of Vikings head coach Mike Tice, is one of the most in-tune people in the industry when it comes to player evaluation and the NFL Draft.

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With the 2025 draft behind us, writers like Tice and Daniel Jeremiah have already taken a look ahead towards the future of the NFL that’s currently in college, which, of course, means looking at Arch Manning. While the overwhelming critique of Manning’s status as a potential No. 1 overall pick is his limited game action, Tice outlined five plays that he believed made Manning a high-ceiling prospect at the QB position.

Manning’s first play in this clip is a beauty.

Executing a textbook Sarkisian play-action, Silas Bolden runs a cheat motion to force a switch in the coverage, while Quintrevion Wisner effectively picks up the blitzing nickel. Mississippi State is running a spy blitz, sending a linebacker late as Manning is forced deeper into the pocket.

Manning, unflustered, makes space for himself in the pocket and finds a crossing Isaiah Bond for a 30+ yard gain. It’s these types of plays that make you excited for Manning’s ability as a playmaker.

Tice’s next play features an orbit motion fake, with DeAndre Moore Jr. circling behind the quarterback. Hayden Conner is a step late, and Manning drifted a bit too far right, so a Bulldog defender is able to get a hand on Manning. The 6’5” QB shrugs off the low arm tackle, effectively steps up and away from the pressure and uses his legs for a 30-yard run.

In back-to-back highlights, just one play apart, Manning shows his ability to navigate a pocket and the NFL-level athleticism needed to operate the position.

The third clip is less flashy but showcases what Tice calls “ad-libbing” in the pocket. After a nearly seven-step drop off a play-action, Manning has little available in front of him outside of a leaking Juan Davis. Manning steps to run, similarly to the clip before, but understands that pressure is caving in and makes a remarkably poised throw to Jerrick Gibson’s check down, turning a potential sack into nine yards.

Play No. 4 is simpler. Pure dropback and MSU sends three, so he has all the time in the world to place a nice pass to Moore for a touchdown. Some of this play was just the Longhorns being at a higher level than the Bulldogs. Despite dropping eight defenders, Texas probably had two different touchdowns on the play, but Manning still made the correct read and placed a strong throw to find the endzone from 40 yards out.

Lastly, Arch showcases the ability to throw on the run and hit the open guy, connecting with Matthew Golden for 13 yards and the long first down. A simple yet effective use of the RPO (which he already knows how to operate well) and a good sign for his ability to read defenses.

Tice’s video and tweets are worth a watch if you like the film side of things. He also tweeted a few more times about Manning’s effectiveness as a runner, ability to throw the ball deep, and potential problem in decision-making.

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Manning may not declare next year, and he still needs a full season under his belt before we can talk at all about his chance at being a No. 1 pick, but NFL people are starting to realize what we all know in the back of our minds: this kid will be one of the best quarterbacks in the country in 2025.

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