The Manning name carries an undeniable weight in football. For decades, it has been synonymous with quarterback excellence, football IQ, and an almost preternatural understanding of the game. Now, as Arch Manning prepares to carve out his own legacy at the University of Texas, he isn’t just relying on his famous bloodline—he’s actively studying the best of the best, immersing himself in the games of modern greats like Joe Burrow and Josh Allen.
Arch isn’t just another highly touted recruit coasting on reputation. He’s a student of the game, dissecting film, refining mechanics, and absorbing the nuances that separate good quarterbacks from legendary ones. His approach is methodical, his work ethic relentless. And in Burrow and Allen, he has found two perfect templates to learn from—one a cerebral, precision passer, the other a physical marvel with arm talent and mobility that redefine the position.
If there’s one quarterback whose game Arch has studied extensively, it’s Joe Burrow. The Cincinnati Bengals star represents the pinnacle of efficiency, anticipation, and clutch performance. Burrow’s 2019 season at LSU remains one of the greatest college campaigns ever, and his seamless transition to NFL stardom only reinforces why he’s the ideal model for a young quarterback.
Arch has taken note of Burrow’s pocket presence—his ability to navigate pressure without panic, to keep his eyes downfield even as chaos erupts around him. Burrow’s footwork is textbook, his release quick and compact. He doesn’t rely solely on arm strength; instead, he thrives on timing, ball placement, and an uncanny ability to read defenses pre- and post-snap.
For Manning, these are the details that matter. Footwork, progressions, the subtle shoulder fakes that manipulate defenders—these are the elements that can turn a solid throw into an unstoppable one. Burrow’s mastery of the mental game is what Arch seems most intent on replicating. The way Burrow dissects coverages, exploits mismatches, and delivers throws with pinpoint accuracy under pressure is a clinic in quarterbacking.
Arch has also taken cues from Burrow’s leadership. The Bengals QB is known for his calm demeanor, his unshakable confidence in big moments. Whether it’s a game-winning drive or a critical third-down conversion, Burrow never looks rattled. That’s a trait Arch is cultivating—the ability to stay composed when the stakes are highest.
While Burrow represents the cerebral side of quarterbacking, Josh Allen embodies the physical evolution of the position. The Buffalo Bills star is a nightmare for defenses—6’5”, 240 pounds, with a rocket arm and the mobility of a running back. His ability to extend plays, launch 70-yard bombs, and bulldoze through tacklers makes him one of the most dynamic players in the league.
For Arch, Allen’s game offers a different kind of lesson. Manning already has the prototypical size (6’4”, 215 lbs) and arm strength to make every throw, but Allen’s development is a roadmap for maximizing physical tools. Early in his career, Allen was criticized for erratic accuracy, but through relentless work, he transformed into one of the NFL’s most polished passers. That growth is something Arch has undoubtedly noted—talent alone isn’t enough; refinement is key.
Allen’s off-script brilliance is another area of study. Modern quarterbacks must be able to create when structure breaks down, and Allen is the best in the league at it. His ability to evade pressure, reset his feet, and fire strikes on the move is unparalleled. Arch, who has shown flashes of similar playmaking ability in high school, is surely incorporating elements of Allen’s improvisation into his own game.
Then there’s the sheer toughness. Allen plays with a linebacker’s mentality, never shying from contact, often fighting for extra yards when necessary. While no one wants their franchise QB taking unnecessary hits, that competitive fire is something Manning admires. The best quarterbacks have a certain edge, a refusal to back down, and Allen epitomizes that.
What makes Arch’s study of Burrow and Allen so fascinating is how he’s merging their strengths into his own style. From Burrow, he’s taking the precision, the anticipation, the surgical dissection of defenses. From Allen, he’s embracing the physicality, the arm talent, the ability to dominate outside the pocket.
But perhaps the most important lesson Arch is learning from both is the work ethic. Burrow and Allen didn’t become superstars by accident—they grinded. Burrow transformed himself from an Ohio State backup to a Heisman winner through obsessive film study and repetition. Allen went from a raw small-school prospect to an MVP-caliber quarterback by refining his mechanics and decision-making year after year.
Arch is following that same path. Despite the hype, he’s kept a low profile, focusing on improvement rather than headlines. His decision to redshirt his freshman year at Texas, learning behind Quinn Ewers, speaks volumes. He’s in no rush; he’s playing the long game, just as Burrow and Allen did in their own journeys.
The expectations for Arch Manning are astronomical. The Manning name alone guarantees scrutiny, but his talent ensures he’ll be judged against the highest standards. Yet, if his approach so far is any indication, he’s built for this.
Studying Burrow and Allen isn’t just about copying their moves—it’s about understanding what makes them great and applying those principles to his own game. Arch has the pedigree, the tools, and, most importantly, the mindset to reach that elite tier.
As he prepares to take the reins at Texas, and eventually the NFL, one thing is clear: Arch Manning isn’t just resting on his last name. He’s locked in, learning from the best, and building a game that could one day surpass even the loftiest Manning family standards.
The next chapter of his story is being written now—in film rooms, on practice fields, and in the quiet hours of study when greatness is forged. And if his dedication to mastering the craft is any indication, football fans are in for something special.
