Arch Manning’s Early Days as Texas Longhorns’ Starting Quarterback
After spending two years as Quinn Ewers’ understudy at the University of Texas, Arch Manning finally stepped into the spotlight as the Longhorns’ starting quarterback this season. His debut came with high expectations, given his famous football lineage as the nephew of NFL legends Peyton and Eli Manning. The young quarterback’s journey began with a challenging opener against Ohio State in late August, where he threw for 170 yards in what ultimately ended as a loss for Texas. Despite this initial setback, Manning and the Longhorns showed resilience, bouncing back to secure three consecutive victories. However, just as momentum seemed to be building, a disappointing performance in a Week 6 loss to Florida reignited questions about whether Manning would fulfill the tremendous expectations placed upon his shoulders since his arrival in Austin.
The rollercoaster nature of Manning’s first season as starter has been evident in his statistics and performances. His most impressive showing came during Texas’ dominant 55-0 victory over Sam Houston State in Week 4, where he displayed his full potential by throwing for 309 yards and three touchdowns while adding two rushing scores. This performance highlighted Manning’s dual-threat capabilities, a dimension of his game that has become increasingly apparent throughout the season. However, the Florida game proved to be a significant challenge, as the Gators’ defense effectively contained Manning, who finished with two touchdowns but also threw two costly interceptions in the 29-21 defeat. Through his first five starts, Manning has accumulated 1,151 passing yards with 11 touchdown passes and five interceptions, while also demonstrating his mobility by rushing for 160 yards and five touchdowns.
Former Texas running back Bijan Robinson, now with the Atlanta Falcons, recently offered some valuable advice to Manning during an appearance on “The Rich Eisen Show.” Robinson emphasized the importance of consistency in the face of external pressure, telling Manning to “stay consistent as much as possible” and cautioning him about the double-edged nature of media attention. “Don’t listen to the media,” Robinson advised, “’cause the media can either steer you in the right direction or it’ll tarnish you for your career.” This counsel comes from Robinson’s own experience navigating the pressures of playing at a high-profile program like Texas before transitioning to the NFL. His words reflect the understanding that Manning’s journey will inevitably include both triumphs and challenges, particularly given the weight of expectations that accompanies his famous surname.
One of the most encouraging aspects of Manning’s development has been the support system surrounding him in Austin. Robinson highlighted this in his advice, reminding Manning that “everybody has his back in that building,” including head coach Steve Sarkisian. This supportive environment will be crucial as Manning continues to navigate the inevitable ups and downs of his collegiate career. Coach Sarkisian, known for his quarterback development expertise, has shown faith in Manning throughout the early season struggles, recognizing that growth often comes through adversity. The relationship between coach and quarterback will be vital in determining how Manning responds to setbacks and builds on successes moving forward.
Manning’s performances thus far have offered glimpses of both his immense potential and the areas where continued development is needed. His showing against Sam Houston State demonstrated his ability to command an offense and utilize both his arm talent and mobility to create scoring opportunities. However, the struggles against more formidable opponents like Ohio State and Florida highlight the challenges of consistently performing against elite defenses. What’s particularly promising is Manning’s dual-threat capability, which adds an extra dimension to the Texas offense. His five rushing touchdowns indicate a willingness to use his legs when necessary, making him more unpredictable and challenging for opposing defenses to contain.
As Manning and the Longhorns look ahead to the remainder of the 2025 season, the focus will be on building consistency and responding positively to adversity. The loss to Florida, while disappointing, provides valuable learning opportunities for a quarterback still finding his footing as a full-time starter at the collegiate level. For Manning, the path forward involves balancing the weight of expectations with the reality that development takes time and often includes setbacks. With the continued support of coaches, teammates, and former Longhorns like Robinson, Manning has every opportunity to grow through these early challenges and eventually fulfill the potential that made him such a highly-regarded prospect. The coming weeks will be telling as Manning faces the dual challenge of improving his own performance while helping Texas rebound from their recent defeat.
