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Teammate Reveals Arch Manning Showed True Character With Freshman Move

Originally posted on The Spun | By Andrew Gould | Last updated Feb 27, 2025 1:14 PM ET

Arch Manning entered Texas to immense hype, but the five-star recruit never appeared to consider himself the big man on campus.

During Thursday's press conference at the NFL Scouting Combine, Jahdae Barron called Manning the "humblest kid I've ever been around." The defensive back made his point by telling a story about his former Longhorns teammate.

"I think second week he was there, as a freshman he's like two lockers down from me," Barron recalled, via KVUE's Anne-Parker Coleman. "He asked to take my loot to the laundry thing. I told him, 'Arch, you're good. You don't have to do it.' But he just wanted to do it. He wanted to show me that he wasn't better than anybody, that he was still a part of this team."

Barron was in his fourth season when Manning arrived. The potential first-round pick said the "sky's the limit" for Manning.

Despite his billing as a prized recruit with a rich family lineage, Manning has willingly paid his dues. The nephew of Super Bowl champions Peyton and Eli Manning spent that freshman campaign on the sideline, making just one brief appearance in a late-season blowout win over Texas Tech.

Although Quinn Ewers returned to Austin for another year, Manning forgoed the transfer portal and stayed as Steve Sarkisian's No. 2 quarterback. When an Ewers injury gave Manning an extended look, he responded by accounting for 12 touchdowns in four Longhorns victories.

Manning retreated to the bench as Ewers led Texas to the College Football Playoff. However, it's now his turn to steer the Longhorns offense in 2025.

Last week, Sarkisian told Kay Adams that Manning is "ready for the moment."

"We're in a good spot to have a pretty good football team, and it's gonna be even better knowing he's gonna be the guy for us," Sarkisian said.

Despite his limited reps, expectations are immense for Manning's first season as QB1. He's co-favored (+800) alongside LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier on FanDuel Sportsbook to win the Heisman Trophy.

Fans will have to see if Manning stays humble if he transforms into one of college football's top stars.

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

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