Arch Manning is getting a lot of buzz for someone who has taken 260 snaps in his “career” with the Texas Longhorns. That’s not slamming him; it’s to point out just one reason why he’s not on PFSN’s Oliver Hodgkinson’s list of the Top 100 College Football Players for 2025, along with his teammate, EDGE, Colin Simmons.
I doubt Manning will mind. His NIL number is No. 1 in college football at $6.8 million. He has plenty of time to justify the hype that he’ll be the top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and prove to everyone he’s the best of a group of college quarterbacks.
Wait, Arch Manning Isn’t a Top-100 College Football Player?
Manning is no doubt one of the most talented players in college football whose profile is also heightened by his family name. If he were named Arch McGillicuddy, he’d be a highly regarded guy who needs to show what he can do at a high level before being called a Heisman Trophy candidate.
However, some folks disagree, such as former LSU head coach Ed Orgeron.
“And I’ll say this conservatively…but Arch is as close to — or maybe as good as — Joe [Burrow] as I’ve seen,” Orgeron said. “And I’ve never said that about anybody.”
High praise from the man who coached Burrow to a national title and a Heisman Trophy.
Coach O on @PardonMyTake about Arch Manning:
“And I’ll say this conservatively…but Arch is as close to — or maybe as good as — Joe [Burrow] as I’ve seen. And I’ve never said that about anybody”
Says if he could coach any QB this season it would be Arch pic.twitter.com/zo6NQQSCWp
— Arch Manning Highlights (@ArchHighlights) August 18, 2025
Paul Finebaum added to the hype machine when he appeared on ESPN’s Get Up and said, “Arch Manning is the best college football quarterback we have seen since Tim Tebow entered the scene in 2006.”
“Arch Manning is the best college football quarterback we have seen since Tim Tebow entered the scene in 2006.”
—@finebaum on Arch Manning 👀 pic.twitter.com/vTm9buTfKX
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) July 1, 2025
To keep things in perspective, Manning showed flashes of his talent in 2025. In spot play over 10 games behind Quinn Ewers, Manning completed 61 of 90 passes for 939 yards and nine touchdowns with two interceptions. He flashed some wheels, running 25 times for 108 yards and four touchdowns.
However, for all the hype and pomp, Manning has yet to play a full season as a starter, and he’ll face top competition in the SEC. Placing Manning among the best players in college football is premature. It would probably feel awkward even for Manning, considering he still needs to prove himself with consistent play instead of cameo appearances.
It would probably feel awkward even for Manning, considering he still needs to prove himself with consistent play instead of cameo appearances.
His first test is a big one. The Longhorns kick off their season on August 30 at The Horseshoe against Ohio State at noon ET.
