10 things to know about Texas QB Arch Manning, including his family legacy

At long last, it’s Arch Manning time in Austin.

After multiple seasons of sitting behind Quinn Ewers, he is finally set to take the reins for the Texas Longhorns in 2025 as the starting quarterback.

Manning is one of the most highly touted talents in college football history and all eyes will be on him as the long-awaited Manning Era begins in Austin this fall.

Here are 10 things to know about Manning:

1. Football royalty

It’s no surprise that Manning became a star quarterback through his high school career after what his uncles and grandfather achieved at multiple levels. Manning said he emulates his grandfather Arch.

“I kind of model my game after his,” Manning told The Dallas Morning News’ Brad Townsend in Dec. 2022. “And more than that, just his personality. He’s nice to everyone. Keeps in touch with everyone. He’s just a great guy, a great role model for me.”

Archie made a name for himself at the University of Mississippi before playing in the NFL for 13 years with the New Orleans Saints, Houston Oilers and Minnesota Vikings. Peyton and Eli followed in Archie’s footsteps to combine for four Super Bowl wins in their professional careers.

2. Limited social media presence

It’s easy to see that Manning doesn’t use platforms like X/Twitter very much. For a long time, his only tweet was his commitment announcement to the University of Texas.

The young quarterback was being pursued by multiple big-time programs, including the heavyweights (Alabama and Georgia) in the SEC. Before Manning committed, his best friend Will Randle believed he was leaning toward Georgia.

Since moving to Austin, Manning has made a few additions to his timeline. His only tweet in 2024 was to confirm that he would appear in the EA Sports College Football 25 video game.

3. His best friend is in Austin, too

Manning didn’t go to Austin alone. Randle is also part of the Longhorns’ football team.

The tight end committed to Texas when he and Manning visited Austin in June 2022. Randle had a private conversation with Texas coach Steve Sarkisian at his home and emerged from their meeting with a smile.

Before committing, Randle was weighing offers from Alabama, Florida State, Georgia Tech and Kentucky. Randle was the No. 66-ranked tight end in the Class of 2023 and was listed as a three-star prospect, according to 247Sports.

4. NIL star

In April, Panini America announced it was expanding its exclusive partnership with Manning. It now includes autographed memorabilia, marking his first-ever memorabilia partnership.

When the Houston Chronicle reported that Texas’ budget for its 2025 roster is “between $35 million and $40 million,” it was noted that Manning is “by far the highest-paid Texas player.” However all his earnings are from deals acquired without help from the school, like his deal with Panini.

His grandfather had a rule for him that he was not to make any NIL money until he is the starter, and Manning agreed, as he views the NIL process in a team-oriented manner.

“I didn’t want to be the guy rolling in with all this money when we have guys like Jake Majors, who have had 40 starts here and not making any and I’m taking all the money,” he said in an interview with ESPN. “I wanted to kind of earn my money, work hard, get to know the players and kind of earn my way up.”

5. Where did that come from?

Football fans don’t normally associate the Manning name with speed. The Texas signal caller might be the outlier.

During a comfortable 56-7 win over UTSA, Manning surprised many when he broke away from the defense for a 67-yard touchdown run. According to the Austin American-Statesman, he reached 20.7 miles per hour on the rush.

Take a look at the scoring play:

Shortly after the game, Cooper Manning took to Instagram to join in on the jokes. According to Arch’s father, the quarterback got his speed from his mother.

6. Had a tough call to make as a high schooler

Arch had a shortlist of schools before he chose Texas in 2022. Among those programs were Alabama, Georgia, Clemson, LSU, SMU, Virginia and Ole Miss.

While his parents let him handle his recruiting visits, Arch’s father Cooper briefly stepped in when the young quarterback said Clemson didn’t feel like the right fit. Father advised son to immediately phone Clemson coach Dabo Swinney.

“That’s a hard call for a 17-year-old,” Cooper said. “I think that’s part of growing up.”

7. He scored a historic Texas touchdown

Texas and Texas A&M squared off for the first time in 13 years in 2024 in one of the most anticipated football games in the state’s history. Oh, by the way, a spot in the SEC Championship Game was on the line too.

Manning needed just one touch to make an impact, taking a carry on a Longhorns 4th-and-2 to the end zone for the first touchdown of the game. In a historic renewal of the Texas-Texas A&M rivalry, Manning was the first one to score.

Texas went on to win 17-7.

8. Potential No. 1 pick?

Once the 2025 NFL draft was in the books, the draft community quickly turned its attention to the top of the 2026 draft class.

Could Manning be the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL draft?

In their way-too-early 2026 mock drafts, The Athletic, CBS Sports and Fox Sports each tabbed Manning as the first overall pick.

If he lives up to the hype surrounding him heading into 2025, this could certainly end up happening.

9. Why didn’t Arch’s father, Cooper, play in the NFL?

Unlike his brothers, Cooper stood out on the football field at a position other than quarterback.

The first child of Archie and Olivia Manning played receiver Isidore Newman School, teaming up for a brief stint with his brother, Peyton. Cooper was an all-state player at his position and he had committed to Ole Miss to play at the collegiate level.

Before his freshman year in Oxford, Cooper was diagnosed with spinal stenosis, ending his playing career. Peyton wore the No. 18 throughout his pro career to honor his father and older brother.

10. Heisman hopeful

Once the 2024 season ended with Ohio State topping Notre Dame in the national title game, Manning was quickly tabbed as one of the favorites to win the Heisman Trophy in 2025.

As of early May, FanDuel lists LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier and Manning as the co-favorites for the award at +800 odds.

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