Arch Manning is the most talked-about college football player heading into the 2025 college football season. Not only was Manning, who plays for the Texas Longhorns, the No. 1 recruit in the 2023 class, but he’s also the nephew of NFL legends Peyton and Eli Manning.
Despite not playing much meaningful football yet, expectations and hype surrounding Arch are very big. His uncle Peyton might’ve just added to it in a recent interview where he talked all about his nephew.
Peyton Manning Believes Texas’ Offense is Perfect for Arch Manning
Peyton was recently interviewed by the Sporting News’ Bill Bender, where Bender asked the five-time NFL MVP all about his nephew Arch’s career at Texas.
Spoke with Peyton Manning about Arch Manning about the Texas QB’s patience, and why that will pay off this season https://t.co/6efYDkoK3M
— Bill Bender (@BillBender92) June 19, 2025
Peyton credited the system in Texas and told Bender that he believes Arch will thrive in his third year with the Longhorns.
“The fact that this will be Arch’s third year in that system, he’ll have great knowledge of the system, still hasn’t had on-the-field game reps as I’m sure he would have liked, but those will come this year,” Peyton said. “There will be things for him to learn, but I’m proud of him for his commitment, and I’m looking forward to watching him play.”
Many people believed that after sitting for one year behind Quinn Ewers at Texas, Arch might hit the transfer portal. Instead, he stayed in Austin, Texas, as a backup, something that Peyton thinks was a great decision and athletes should do more often.
“My wish for student-athletes is that they get to participate in college sports,” Peyton said. “That they enjoy everything about that experience and not be in such a hurry that they get to the next destination.”
Arch did see some playing time with Texas in 2024, starting two games while Ewers was injured. He saw action in 10 total games last season and looked like a star in limited snaps, throwing for 931 yards, nine touchdowns, and two interceptions on 90 attempts.
While he hasn’t had any real playing time against top-tier SEC opponents, like Peyton said, he should be fully prepared to run Texas’ offense after learning behind Ewers. Arch also will be under head coach Steve Sarkisian’s guidance, too.
In today’s world of college football, it’s not common for a player of Arch’s caliber to be content with being a backup for two seasons. If Peyton’s prediction is right, then it will benefit Arch in a big way as he becomes the leader of the Longhorns in 2025.
