Arch Manning already knows who will replace him at Texas if he can't meet the Heisman hype

Arch Manning is the quarterback of the present and the future for the Texas Longhorns. Entering his third NCAA season, Manning is faced with championship expectations amid hype over becoming the first Texas player in more than 25 years to win the Heisman Trophy, before he becomes eligible to enter the NFL Draft as soon as 2026.

But fairly or otherwise, there are doubts around the 19-year-old's preparedness to step in to one of the highest-pressure jobs in college athletics. Texas last won a national championship in 2005, and the program's strength in recruiting top talent leaves Manning under pressure to perform immediately -- the Longhorns open the season in Columbus, Ohio, with a showdown against the defending national champion Ohio State Buckeyes.

Dia Bell's day is coming

Back in June, Texas secured a commitment from Fort Lauderdale, Florida high school quarterback Dia Bell -- who has just been deemed a "five-star prospect" by the On3 recruiting tracker.

Bell, who will Texas in 2026, is described as a "natural thrower" with "an ability to manipulate the football and throw consistently catchable footballs from multiple arm angles". The son of former NBA player Raja Bell, Dia threw for 2,597 yards, 29 touchdowns, and six interceptions during his junior year, when he accrued five more touchdowns as a runner.

Bell is clearly the "next man up" when Manning declares for the NFL Draft or, in the worst case, transfers out of the Texas program. One can never be too sure, but given Bell's upside, Manning will be under the microscope in 2025 and will have to work hard to hold on to QB1 duties in 2026 if he decides to fulfill his collegiate eligibility.