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Arch Manning Shows True Character With Admission On NIL Deals

Originally posted on The Spun | By Tzvi Machlin | Last updated Jan 30, 2025 5:23 PM ET

Earlier today Texas quarterback Arch Manning signed his biggest NIL deal yet by joining forces with RedBull on a new campaign ahead of his first year as a starter for the Longhorns.

But in an interview with ESPN's Marty Smith, Manning made it clear that he hasn't been after the money from get-go. He pointed out that this is his first legit NIL deal outside of a partnership with Panini America in 2023 and an appearance in EA Sports College Football 25 last year.

Manning explained that he wanted to earn his money through hard work and getting to know the players, and ensure that he wasn't getting spoiled before becoming a starter for the team he plays for.

“I didn’t want to be the guy rolling in with all this money when we have guys like Jake Majors who have 40 starts here and not making any [and] I’m taking all the money,” Manning told ESPN’s Marty Smith. “I wanted to earn my money, work hard, get to know the players. Kind of earn my way up.”

Given the football family he comes from, money has probably never been a real issue for Arch Manning the way it may be for some of the many other football players who accept whatever NIL deals they can get their hands on. But he believes that the University of Texas is in the position where they can earn money while still keeping intense focus on the game.

“I think at Texas, we’ve done a good job of it just because everyone wants everyone to do well and earn as much money as they can, while still wanting to win games and keeping it about the team as best we can,” Manning said. “As long as I don’t let it affect how I’m working and the team at all, I think it’s a really good thing.”

As for his goal in 2025, Arch said that he received good advice from his grandfather, Manning family patriarch and College Football Hall of Fame quarterback Archie Manning:

“Just to be a good guy,” Arch said. “At the end of the day, there’s a lot that comes with college football. He’s in the College Football Hall of Fame, so he knows what it’s all about. The cameras, the money, everything else, it’s just about playing the game and being a good teammate and working hard.”

The Manning era of Texas football, whether it lasts just one year or several, begins in earnest this fall.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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