Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning. Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Former Texas A&M star weighs in on Arch Manning hype

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Aug 14, 2025 3:58 PM ET

Even a former Texas A&M Aggies star is buying Arch Manning stock.

Manning is replacing Quinn Ewers as the Texas Longhorns' starting quarterback this season. After sitting behind the 2025 seventh-round pick for two seasons, former Florida Gators head coach Steve Spurrier and others have suggested he's overhyped. Ex-Aggies quarterback Johnny Manziel disagrees.

"I think him being the seventh- or eighth-best [QB] in the SEC, I don't think we're going to see that," the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner said Thursday on "The Pat McAfee Show." "I think he's going to live in the top three of SEC play when it's all said and done."

“I think Arch Manning is prepared for SEC football..

He’s gonna get everybody’s best shot”@JManziel2 #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/9IVEqCe7Gk
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) August 14, 2025

Manning is the nephew of Super Bowl champions Peyton and Eli and grandson of 1971 No. 2 pick Archie. When replacing an injured Ewers (oblique) last season, the 21-year-old showed he could be the family's next outstanding QB.

He filled in a 56-7 Week 3 win over the UTSA Roadrunners, recording five touchdowns (four passing, one rushing). Arch Manning then started against the Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks and Mississippi State Bulldogs, going 2-0. However, the Texas star will face much stiffer competition this season.

"I think with the people he's had around him, the way that he was raised, the way that he's grown up, I think he's prepared for what he's getting himself into," Manziel said. "But when it comes down to it, it is SEC Football. They are going to scheme for him, they are going to be prepared for him. They know what kind of QB he is. So, you're getting everybody's best shot."

No. 1 Texas has road games against No. 15 Florida (Oct. 4) and the No. 5 Georgia Bulldogs (Nov. 15) this season. The Longhorns also have one of the season's more challenging non-conference games in Week 1.

The No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes, the defending national champions, host the Longhorns Aug. 30 at noon ET (Fox). As of Thursday, ESPN Bet lists the Buckeyes as a 2.5-point favorite.

But if Arch Manning is the real deal, he could lead the Longhorns to their first national championship since the 2005 season. He could also be in New York for the Heisman ceremony on Dec. 13, where he could chat with Manziel.

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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