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Desmond Howard Isn't Buying The Arch Manning Hype

Originally posted on The Spun | By Chris Rosvoglou | Last updated Aug 29, 2025 2:27 PM ET

There are plenty of analysts that have Arch Manning ranked as the No. 1 quarterback in the country. ESPN's Desmond Howard isn't ready to make that type of declaration though.

Manning started a few games for Texas last season when Quinn Ewers went down with an oblique injury. The former five-star recruit from Isidore Newman completed 67.8% of his passes for 939 yards with nine touchdowns and two interceptions. He also had 108 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 25 carries.

Despite not having a ton of experience, Manning is the odds-on favorite to win the Heisman Trophy this season. Additionally, ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. has Manning projected to be the top pick in the 2026 NFL draft.

During this Friday's episode of "First Take," ESPN's Stephen A. Smith asked Howard if all the hype surrounding Manning is warranted. His response was quite telling.

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Desmond Howard of ESPN College Football before the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Rose Bowl Game between the Georgia Bulldogs and Oklahoma Sooners on January 1, 2018, at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA. (Photo by Chris Williams/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)Getty

"Not at all," Howard replied. "The reason I say that is, unless he was one of the top finalists a year ago, I don’t think he deserves that kind of attention coming into the 2025 season. Maybe mention him for the Davey O’Brien Award or the Johnny Unitas, but the Heisman is the best college football player in all of college football. And we have yet to see that."

Howard acknowledged that Manning's last name carries a lot of weight in the football world. After all, Eli and Peyton had exceptional careers in the NFL.

Pumping the brakes on all the Arch Manning hype.

Howard isn't the only ESPN analyst hesitant to crown Manning as college football's next great quarterback.

Former Vanderbilt quarterback Jordan Rodgers offered his blunt assessment of Manning during Wednesday’s episode of "Get Up" on ESPN.

“I’ll say this — and I don’t know what you guys talked about when I was off-air — the hype doesn’t match the tape. There are some good things, but the tape doesn’t scream first-round draft pick, top-10 pick, No. 1 overall, or Heisman hopeful,” Rodgers said. “I think when he goes into Ohio State, he’s going to struggle because he hasn’t played anybody. The last time we saw him against a really good defense was Georgia, and he looked out of place. He looked really good against UTSA, Louisiana-Monroe, and Mississippi State — which was the worst defense in the SEC. There’s still a lot of growth needed and a lot we need to see

Manning has a golden opportunity to silence his critics this weekend. If he takes down Ohio State, that'll prove he's the real deal.

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

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