Arch Manning is no stranger to attention, but his appearance at the 2025 SEC Media Days in Atlanta took the spotlight to another level.
The Texas Longhorns’ newly anointed starting quarterback arrived at scenes resembling a celebrity sighting, fans crowded around him, the media buzzed, and even veteran analysts were stunned by the magnitude of the moment.
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On3 college football analyst J.D. PicKell compared the atmosphere to the unforgettable days of Tim Tebow and Johnny Manziel.
“I’ve never seen SEC Media Days like this,” Pickell said. “It was borderline boy band energy. You could tell where Arch was in the building based on the noise.”
That kind of comparison isn’t thrown around lightly. Tebow is considered one of the most influential college football players of all time, not just for his accolades, but for how he carried himself. And according to analysts, Manning may be on a similar path.
What’s most impressive about Manning isn’t just the hype or the name. It’s how calmly and confidently he handles it. Despite being the nephew of Peyton and Eli Manning and grandson of Archie Manning, Arch seems unaffected by the pressure.
“He’s been trained for this his whole life,” J.D. Pickell noted. “Everywhere he’s gone, people knew who he was. That kind of environment prepares you for moments like SEC Media Days.”
And it’s not just his demeanor off the field that excites people. In 2024, as a redshirt freshman, Manning played in 10 games, stepping in after an injury to starter Quinn Ewers. He completed 67.8% of his passes for 939 yards, nine touchdowns, and just two interceptions.
He also ran for 108 yards and four rushing touchdowns, including an eye-popping 67-yard touchdown run and a 75-yard touchdown pass in the same game, something no other Texas freshman had ever done.
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Those flashes of talent were enough to silence doubts about whether he was more than just a famous last name.
“If his last name was Johnson, he’d still be a five-star,” Pickell stated. “But the Manning pedigree means he’s more prepared for what’s next.”
Now, with Ewers off to the NFL, the Longhorns belong to Manning. Head coach Steve Sarkisian has handed him the keys to the offense, and expectations are sky-high. But if SEC Media Days showed anything, it’s that Manning is ready to lead not just with talent, but with character.
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Analysts believe that what sets him apart, much like Tebow, is what’s “between the ears.” Football IQ, calm under pressure, and emotional maturity are traits that can’t be coached, and Arch seems to have them in spades.
“If it’s the fourth quarter against Ohio State,” Pickell, “I like my chances with Arch Manning.”
Whether or not he wins a Heisman or national title in his first year remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Arch Manning is ready for the spotlight, and he might shine as brightly as the legends before him.
