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With Quinn Ewers now going to the NFL, Arch Manning takes center stage as Texas' starting quarterback. The Longhorns, who have gone 25-5 the past two seasons, have made back-to-back College Football Playoff appearances-though both runs ended in semifinal losses. Now, all eyes are on Manning to see if he can lead the program to its first national title since 2005. The challenge begins immediately, as Texas opens the season with a big test against defending national champion Ohio State. The schedule doesn't get any easier from there, with high-stakes matchups against Florida and Georgia. But Manning isn't just another hyped recruit-his brief appearances last season showed his potential, throwing for 969 yards, nine touchdowns, and adding four rushing scores.
Analyst Weighs In on Manning's Future
With Manning now at the helm of the Longhorns' offense, expectations are high. But he's not the only quarterback making waves in college football. A 1,915-yard er is already being talked about as a legitimate contender, adding even more intrigue to Manning's first year as a starter. Despite never having played a full season, some analysts already rank Manning as the No. 5 quarterback in the SEC. Manning will try to become the first Longhorn to win the Heisman since 1998, when running back Ricky Williams did it.
His first game as the official QB1 will be a trial by fire against Ohio State. However, many believe Manning is well prepared, having spent two years learning under Ewers and working within Sarkisian's offensive system. His exclusion from On3 Sports' Way-Too-Early 2025 All-American First-Team has sparked debate, especially with Florida's DJ Lagway being named over him. A five-star recruit in the class of 2023, Manning has the talent to prove his doubters wrong.
Manning's Moment to Shine
Fast forward to the end of the season, and Manning has all the tools to rewrite Texas history. The Longhorns enter 2025 as legitimate title contenders, but it's up to him to deliver where past teams have faltered. Ohio State, Florida, Georgia-it's a murderer's row, but if he pulls it off, the Heisman chatter will get real loud, real fast. His $6.5 million NIL haul could climb past $9 million if he turns Austin into a circus of wins, and the NFL's already drooling over a 6'4" gunslinger with his bloodline and upside. The Texas faithful are starving for that 2005 glory, and with Sarkisian calling the shots, Manning's first year as QB1 could launch him straight to the top of the 2026 draft board.