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How Arch Manning stacks up against Texas greats after 21 starts

Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning. Brianna Paciorka-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images

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Here's how Arch Manning stacks up against fellow Texas QBs Vince Young, Colt McCoy, Quinn Ewers after 21 career starts

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Oct 21, 2026 12:25 PM ET

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Texas Longhorns junior quarterback Arch Manning is under the microscope heading into Saturday's home game against the Ole Miss Rebels (ABC, 7:30 p.m. ET).

Manning committed three fourth-quarter turnovers (two interceptions and a fumble) in consecutive losses to the Oklahoma Sooners and Florida Gators in Weeks 6 and 7, and Texas (4-2) has dropped from No. 1 to No. 19 in the Associated Press Top 25 poll. Amid the struggles, the Longhorns are reportedly increasing backup QB KJ Lacey's first-team reps in this week's practice. Head coach Steve Sarkisian confirmed Monday that Manning remains the starter but appears to be tightening the screws on the 22-year-old passer.

Let's take a breath before leveling Manning with more criticism.

Manning has hit some turbulence, sure, but he's not a flop. The numbers back that up. With that in mind, let's compare and contrast his performance through 21 career starts to former Texas QBs Vince Young, Colt McCoy and Quinn Ewers.

Texas quarterback Vince Young scores the decisive touchdown against USC in the 2006 Rose Bowl, lifting the Longhorns to the national championship. Robert Hanashiro / USA TODAY NETWORK

Vince Young (2003-05)

Starting record: 19-2

Passing stats
Completion/Attempts	235-of-385
Completion percentage	61 percent
Yards	3,066
TDs	22
Interceptions	19

Rushing stats
Yards	1,761
TDs	20

Young ultimately overcame early accuracy issues and led the Longhorns to their most recent national title in the 2005 season. Who could forget him running for an 8-yard touchdown on a 4th-and-5 to seal a 41-38 win over the USC Trojans in the national championship? Mack Brown, Young's head coach at Texas, said the QB began playing with more confidence during the 2004 season, laying the groundwork for 2005. He told Manning to do the same on a Wednesday episode of his podcast, "THE STAMPEDE."

Vince Young put the pressure aside and played with confidence in 2004. The rest is history. Can Arch Manning do the same? pic.twitter.com/HVUyG3rcAd
— THE STAMPEDE (@TheStampedeUT) October 20, 2026

Colt McCoy (2006-07)

Starting record: 16-5

Passing Stats
Completions/Attempts	402-of-593
Completion percentage	67.8 percent
Yards	4,739
TDs	44
Interceptions	19

Rushing stats
Yards	342
TDs	3

Young was a tough act to follow, but McCoy was a worthy successor, becoming one of six Texas players to have his number retired. But like Manning, his turnovers spiked in his second season as a full-time starter. In his first eight games in 2007, McCoy threw 12 interceptions, finishing the season with a career-high 18. He would overcome that issue and finish as the school's all-time leader in TD passes (112) and passing yards (13,253).

Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers celebrates with fans after the Longhorns beat Oklahoma at the Cotton Bowl on Oct. 8, 2022. Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Quinn Ewers (2022-24)

Starting record: 16-5

Passing stats
Completions/Attempts	420-of-647
Completion percentage	64.9 percent
Passing yards	5,338
TDs	36
Interceptions	12

Rushing stats
Yards	-31
TDs	6

Ewers — one of five QB recruits given a perfect rating (1.0000) by 247 Sports — transferred from the Ohio State Buckeyes to the Longhorns in 2022. The QB underwhelmed in his first season in Austin, completing just 58.1 percent of his passes. His mullet must have been holding him back. After chopping it off in 2023, the QB guided Texas to the Big 12 championship. Ewers and Co. remained competitive after moving to the SEC in 2024, reaching the conference title game and making another CFP trip. He ranks third in program history in TD passes (68).

Arch Manning (2024-26)

Starting record: 16-5

Passing stats
Completions/Attempts	395-of-630
Completion percentage	62.7 percent
Yards	5,041
TDs	41
Interceptions	14

Rushing stats
Yards	536
TDs	11

Manning's numbers don't look terrible in context, do they? So far, he's been a little more accurate than Young and more dynamic than McCoy and Ewers. Admittedly, he's in a slump after posting a 59.2 figure in ESPN's QBR metric (No. 61 in FBS) in his first six starts in 2026. He's not a finished product, however, and has plenty of time to turn his season around. He can start by leading Texas to an upset over No. 7 Ole Miss (5-1), led by star QB Trinidad Chambliss, in Saturday's prime-time matchup.

Clark Dalton

Clark 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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