Arch Manning begins the 2025 college football season under a brighter spotlight than most athletes will ever see. The Texas Longhorns are ranked #1 in the preseason AP poll, and Arch is already the favorite to win the Heisman Trophy with odds between +700 and +750. For some, that’s proof he’s the next great college quarterback. For others, it’s proof that his last name carries more weight than his resume. Two career starts, fewer than 100 pass attempts, and a handful of highlight plays that have been building hype for months. As the season starts, the question isn’t if Arch will be in the spotlight. It’s whether his play can live up to or surpass the legacy that’s put him here.
Arch Manning was born into the most famous quarterback family in American sports. His grandfather, Archie Manning, was a 2x Pro Bowler and Ole Miss legend. His uncles Peyton and Eli combined for 4 Super Bowls, 5 MVPs, and over 120,000 yards in the NFL. The family legacy made Arch the most highly recruited high school quarterback in over a decade. All the top recruiting services pegged him as the #1 prospect in the 2023 class, with 247Sports noting his “high football IQ, advanced mechanics, and poise beyond his years.”
His profile is fueling action across the country. In Californian sports markets, Heisman futures and fantasy football rosters are filling up with his name, proving just how fast a player’s story can catch fire outside traditional college football hotspots. Online sportsbooks have taken a particular interest in Manning as a player who can influence games, especially at platforms that offer modern markets and options like live in-play betting and dynamic payouts on shifting odds.
2024 was a small taste of what he can do. When Quinn Ewers was out with an injury, Arch started two games and was 68% for 527 yards, 4 TDs, and 0 INTs. Against Texas Tech, he had 287 yards passing and 48 yards rushing. Analyst Greg McElroy was glowing with praise as he mentioned Manning’s arm talent, footwork, and calmness on the ball. However, the small sample size has people wondering if the highlight plays are enough to be the next Manning.
Arch Manning walks into 2025 as the full-time starter at Texas. LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier summed it up best when he told reporters, “He’s going to tear it up”. A nod to Manning’s swag and composure under pressure. But not everyone is buying in. Former Florida coach Steve Spurrier has expressed skepticism about the Heisman hype surrounding Arch Manning, questioning why he didn’t start over Quinn Ewers if he was as talented as suggested.
The Manning name is a double-edged sword for Arch. Every snap is compared to his uncles, and the media jumps at the chance to draw comparisons. Arch himself acknowledges the pressure but stays grounded. At SEC Media Days, he said, “I’m just focused on this year and getting better each day. I try not to think about comparisons or expectations.” Coach Steve Sarkisian agreed: “He’s handling it like a pro. The hype will always be there, but Arch is focused on football, not the headlines.”
Despite all the hype surrounding his first full season as Texas’s starter, Arch Manning is not in a rush to get to the NFL. Adam Schefter told teams not to assume an early declaration, saying Manning’s development path is like his uncles’: measured and slow. The family’s approach matches up with the player’s NIL opportunities, which have reportedly reached $6.6 million. He’s financially set and doesn’t have to leave college early. Scouts rave about his arm strength, anticipation, and dual-threat ability, comparing him to Trevor Lawrence and Justin Fields, but they say his game experience is limited.
If Arch Manning can turn flashes into consistency in 2025, he can change the narrative from being the beneficiary of a famous name to actual generational talent. Analysts are watching the metrics. A strong season could make him a Heisman contender and boost Texas’ national profile. If he does, Arch can redefine what it means to be a young QB navigating legacy, hype, and professional opportunity. Proving the “victim of his own name” label isn’t a given.