In today’s college football landscape—where patience is rare, the transfer portal is always open, and players often jump ship at the first sign of adversity—Arch Manning is doing something almost unheard of: he’s staying put, waiting his turn, and trusting the process.
The former No. 1 overall recruit in the 2023 class, Manning came to Texas with a name that echoed through the sport’s most historic corridors. Grandson of Archie, nephew to Peyton and Eli, and the face of a recruiting battle that captivated the country, expectations were sky-high from the moment he put on burnt orange. But Manning, to his credit, hasn’t let the weight of his last name—or the hype that followed him—dictate the timeline of his college career.
Now, with 2024 starter Quinn Ewers headed to the NFL and the Longhorns officially turning the page, it’s finally Arch’s time. And according to him, it’s been worth every second.
“There’s nowhere else I want to be,” Manning said after Texas’ spring game. “I want to be the quarterback at the University of Texas. Sometimes it’s worth the wait.”
His words hit with clarity and confidence—simple, steady, and sure. He’s not just ready. He’s committed.
Manning has waited in the shadows long enough. As Ewers led Texas to the College Football Playoff and played some of the best ball of his career, Manning stayed patient, working behind the scenes to get better. He turned down NIL deals, ignored the noise of the portal, and leaned into learning. And while some questioned his decision not to transfer—or to come to Texas at all with Ewers entrenched—Manning never wavered. Not once.
“I came here because I believe in this staff, I believe in this team, and I believe in the culture we’re building,” Manning said. “From day one, I’ve trusted Coach Sark and what he’s doing here.”
Steve Sarkisian has praised Manning’s development from afar, but after this spring, he doesn’t need to hold back anymore. In Texas’ spring game, Manning looked composed, confident, and in control, showing off the tools that made him a five-star talent in the first place. He threw with accuracy, showed off improved footwork, and commanded the offense with a veteran’s poise.
“There’s no question Arch is ready,” Sarkisian said. “He’s done everything we’ve asked of him—and more. He’s handled himself with humility and maturity, and now he’s ready to lead.”
That leadership is already starting to show. Teammates rave about Manning’s calm demeanor and relentless work ethic. Even last season, when he was QB3 behind Ewers and Maalik Murphy, Manning was a constant presence in the film room, at practice, and in team meetings—asking questions, building chemistry, and putting in the hours most people never see.
“Arch is a real one,” said senior wideout Isaiah Neyor. “He’s never acted like he’s better than anybody. He grinds, he listens, he learns. And now, he’s about to show everyone what he can really do.”
What Manning can do is still a question in terms of in-game production. After redshirting his freshman season and playing sparingly last year, he has limited live action under his belt. But what he lacks in game reps, he makes up for in preparation—and natural talent.
Manning’s arm talent, vision, and football IQ are elite. He’s not a carbon copy of Peyton or Eli—if anything, he’s more mobile than either of them ever were—but he shares their poise, their processing speed, and their knack for making the right play at the right time. And with a full offseason as QB1, he has a chance to make the Longhorns’ offense his own.
Texas enters the 2025 season with high expectations once again, this time as an SEC program looking to establish itself among the best. With Manning under center, the Longhorns believe they have a quarterback who can take them even further than they went with Ewers—a national title contender, not just a playoff participant.
“There’s a standard here,” Manning said. “Quinn helped raise it. Now it’s my job to keep it going and build on it.”
The Manning name brings pressure, but Arch doesn’t wear it like a burden. If anything, it seems to ground him. He knows what comes with the territory, but he’s never tried to be anything other than himself. Soft-spoken but focused, reserved but fiercely competitive, Manning’s approach is calculated, not flashy.
“I’ve got a lot of great people in my family to learn from,” he said. “But I’m not trying to be Peyton. I’m not trying to be Eli. I’m just trying to be the best version of me.”
That version is starting to take shape at the perfect time. Texas returns a loaded roster around Manning, with a strong offensive line, depth at running back, and playmakers on the outside. The defense, which helped carry the Longhorns in stretches last season, is expected to be one of the best in the country once again. Add in a coaching staff that has continuity and experience, and Manning steps into a situation many quarterbacks dream of.
Still, it’s not going to be easy. The SEC gauntlet looms large. Road trips to Alabama and Georgia are on the schedule. The annual Red River rivalry game against Oklahoma remains a pressure-cooker. And Manning, for all his pedigree and promise, will have to prove himself one game at a time.
But don’t expect him to flinch.
“This is what I came here for,” Manning said. “Big games. Big moments. I want the ball in my hands.”
And now, finally, he’ll have it. The spotlight is back, the pressure is real, and the Longhorns are turning to a quarterback who’s been waiting for this moment longer than most would.
His decision to stay—when so many others might’ve left—says everything about who Arch Manning is. In an age of instant gratification, he chose growth. He chose team. He chose Texas.
And now, Texas is choosing him.
“We’re ready to ride with Arch,” Sarkisian said. “This is his team now.”
That team will go as far as Manning takes them. If spring was any indication, he’s more than ready. The time has come. The lights are on. The next chapter in the Manning football story begins now—in Austin, in the SEC, and with No. 16 under center.
“It’s been a journey,” Manning said. “But I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.”
Sometimes, it really is worth the wait.