Arch Manning’s Early Struggles Raise Questions About NFL Future
In the bright spotlight of college football, few names carried as much weight entering the 2025 season as Arch Manning. The Texas Longhorns quarterback arrived with the perfect pedigree – the Manning family legacy, preseason Heisman Trophy buzz, and projections as a potential top NFL draft pick. Yet sometimes the weight of expectations can be the heaviest burden to carry, and Manning’s early performance has fallen short of the lofty standards set for him. Though still in the infancy of his starting career, the gap between anticipation and reality has been noticeable enough to spark conversation about his professional prospects.
The football world should exercise patience before rendering judgment on Manning’s abilities. Four games represent a small sample size in the career of any quarterback, especially one facing the immense pressure that comes with his surname. Nevertheless, his inconsistent play has caused some NFL draft analysts to reconsider his standing. In a recent mock draft published by The Athletic, Nick Baumgardner projected Manning as the 28th overall selection – a far cry from the top-five pick many envisioned. This dramatic slide reflects growing concerns about Manning’s readiness for the professional level, despite his undeniable arm talent and physical tools that still make scouts take notice.
Perhaps most intriguing in Baumgardner’s projection is the landing spot: the Indianapolis Colts. The storyline writes itself – Arch Manning following in the footsteps of his uncle Peyton, who built his Hall of Fame legacy in Indianapolis. The symmetry would be remarkable, providing the young quarterback with a supportive environment where fans already hold deep affection for his family name. Such a scenario might offer the perfect balance of opportunity and patience, allowing Manning development time behind veteran Daniel Jones, who has experienced a career renaissance this season and could be extended by the Colts.
The current situation presents Manning with an important crossroads that many talented young quarterbacks face: whether to declare for the NFL draft or return for another collegiate season to refine his skills. If his draft projection remains in the late first round, returning to Texas for the 2026 season becomes increasingly appealing. Another year of starting experience could polish rough edges in his game while potentially elevating his draft status. Yet the financial security of a first-round selection, even at 28th overall, offers its own compelling argument for turning professional, particularly with the injury risks inherent to college football.
What makes Manning’s case particularly fascinating is the intersection of talent, expectation, and heritage. Few players enter college football with such intense scrutiny, and the pressure to live up to the Manning name can be both blessing and curse. His elite arm talent remains undeniable, yet questions persist about his decision-making and consistency against top competition. As Baumgardner noted, Manning “has not had the start scouts were looking for,” though he rightly acknowledges that the quarterback has “only been a starter for a month, under some of the brightest lights anyone can imagine.”
The remainder of the 2025 season offers Manning an opportunity to change the narrative surrounding his development. Strong performances against conference rivals could quickly restore his draft stock, while continued struggles might cement the perception that he needs additional seasoning at the collegiate level. Regardless of this season’s outcome, NFL teams will keep a close eye on his progress, understanding that quarterback development rarely follows a linear path. For Manning, the challenge now is balancing the weight of expectation with the process of growth, knowing that his family name opens doors but cannot make throws for him on Saturdays. How he responds to this early adversity may reveal more about his NFL potential than any amount of preseason hype ever could.
