Proof That Arch Manning Isn’t a Bust – – – Yet

Originally posted on Mike Farrell Sports
By Mark Pszonak | Last updated Oct 8, 2025 4:07 PM ET

The preseason hype for Texas quarterback Arch Manning was off-the-charts. But that hype didn’t come from reality, as Manning had only attempted 90 passes with the Longhorns before being classified as a Heisman Trophy favorite.

However, while the hype was ill-advised, it also doesn’t mean that he is a bust. This is something that has been mentioned by many in recent weeks. Proof of this can be found by comparing his statistics up to this point with a few other quarterbacks that everyone is familiar with.

	Comp	Attempts	%	Passing Yards	TD	INT	Rushing Yards	Rushing TD
QB #1	153	229	66.8	1,844	19	4	58	1
QB #2	154	233	66.1	2,161	23	4	510	6
QB #3	140	230	62.6	2,120	20	7	275	9
QB #4	166	245	67.8	1,764	8	7	148	3
QB #5	169	245	68.9	2,238	25	3	-25	0

As you can see, all of the statistics are comparable with the five quarterbacks. To make it as equal as possible, all of the statistics are from the beginning of each quarterbacks career to a point similar to where Manning is now. So who are each of these quarterbacks?

QB #1 is Trevor Lawrence

Since he immediately played as a true freshman at Clemson, these statistics are during the 2017 season, through the 10th game against Boston College.

QB #2 is Caleb Williams

Williams’ statistics go through his freshman season at Oklahoma and through the first game at USC against Rice after his transfer.

QB #3 is Arch Manning

As mentioned previously, these is all of Manning’s statistics during his time with the Longhorns.

QB #4 is Baker Mayfield

In Texas Tech’s pass-happy offense, Mayfield’s statistics only took six games to compile in 2013. He played in eight games with the Red Raiders before transferring to Oklahoma.

QB #5 is Bryce Young

Young only saw minimal time as a freshman, so most of his statistics are from the 2021 season, when he won the Heisman Trophy.

This is to show that while Manning won’t win the Heisman Trophy this season, the start of his career is still comparable to some of the best quarterbacks over the last 15 years. And it also doesn’t mean that Manning will meet expectations later this season or during the rest of his career at Texas. He may very well become a “bust” but to call him one in early October of his first season as a starter is not fair to him.

However this turns out, right now Manning needs to be given the opportunity of time and patience.

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

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