‘Arch Madness’ begins as Manning’s latest moves spark ‘championship confidence’ for Texas

As he prepares for his first season as the Texas Longhorns‘ starting quarterback, Arch Manning is hard at work on and off the gridiron. Not everyone is cut out to wear Texas‘ famed burnt orange jersey; Manning, the nephew of two Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks, has had to step out of his comfort zone in response to the growing fame around him and the intrigue that surrounds his game.

Many anticipate, if not expect, that Arch can achieve something in the NCAA that neither Eli nor Peyton Manning accomplished — that is, to lead his program to a national championship. At Texas, a “natty” is coveted above all else; Arch was eight months old when the Longhorns won their most recent title, and the now-19-year-old’s skillset continues to generate optimism that the drought in Austin is about to end.

Former Alabama quarterback reveals confidence in Arch

Greg McElroy knows what it takes to win a national championship in the cutthroat world of college football. Speaking on his “Always College Football” podcast, McElroy — who was the quarterback of Alabama‘s 2009 championship team — sees “a lot more in the tank” for Arch Manning, after he showed his promise over 10 games in 2024.

“Based on the things I’ve heard, they’ve been really, really positive with how Arch Manning is grasping the offense, his accuracy, his arm strength, the constant threat of him taking off and running with the football is always in the front of every single person who has to defend this young man,” McElroy said.

Arch’s marketability, rocket arm, and fleet feet are expected to offset many of the major losses Texas incurred on offense between the 2024 and 2025 seasons; such is the nature of college football. But the Longhorns’ roster is still teeming with talent, with more potentially on the way — and even if 2025 is Arch’s lone season as Texas’ starter (he can declare for the NFL Draft in 2026), it is already shaping up to be a memorable one.

“I look at Arch Manning and I feel very confident about what the quarterback spot will look like for the Longhorns this year,” McElroy concluded.