Sara Diggins / Austin American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Arch Manning Responds to Critics, Supporters With Same Self-Assured Statement

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Max Dible | Last updated Jun 28, 2025 11:48 AM ET

Texas quarterback Arch Manning is on the cusp of taking the main stage for essentially the first time in his football career.

His last name makes him a celebrity before he walks into any room, but it means he carries it on his back with it the very highest of expectations. As a redshirt sophomore entering his third year in Austin in 2025, Manning is about to step into the starting role at one of college football's grandest and most historic programs -- not to mention a veritable Texas twister of national title hopes and millions of dollars in NIL funds.

Manning started a couple of games last season and showed high-level dual-threat ability, throwing for 939 passing yards, nine touchdowns and just two interceptions. He added 25 carries for 108 rushing yards and four scores on the ground. That said, his two starts came against Mississippi State, which finished dead last in the SEC at 0-8, and UL Monroe, which went 3-5 in the Sunbelt Conference.

Suffice it to say, Manning still needs to prove himself against the upper echelon of competition after playing two years behind new Miami Dolphins quarterback Quinn Ewers. Legendary college football coach Steve Spurrier recently took something of a shot at Manning for that exact reason.

"They've got Arch Manning already winning the Heisman, too," Spurrier said on the June 24 edition of "Another Dooley Noted Podcast" with Pat Dooley. "My question is, if he's that good, how come they let Quinn Ewers play all the time last year? He was a seventh-round pick."

Manning responded to criticisms like the one levied by Spurrier in a recent interview.

“I’m not worried about what other people think,” Manning said Friday, via the "On Texas" YouTube channel.

As much as the detractors could cause Manning problems, the hype could reach him, too. The Heisman Trophy and a national championship aren't just part of the discussions, so is the possibility of being the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft whenever he declares.

Manning will be eligible for the draft following this season, though some analysts expect he might remain with the Longhorns for the 2026 campaign before dipping his toe into the waters of professional football.

In either case, there will be as many people pumping Manning up as trying to deflate his confidence, and the even keel he displayed Friday will be key to his success.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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