Arch Manning’s first start of the 2025 season is in the books, and it’s safe to say the former five-star did not live up to the hype in Texas’s Week One loss to the Ohio State Buckeyes.
Manning had massive expectations for this season, and after his disappointing performance, some former NFL players were quick to criticize the Longhorns quarterback.
Ex-NFL Stars Call Out Arch Manning After Loss to Ohio State
Manning didn’t play horribly in his 2025 debut, but he wasn’t great either. He finished the game completing 17 of his 30 passes for 170 yards, one touchdown, and one interception, while adding 38 yards on the ground. It wasn’t a terrible performance, but it certainly didn’t meet the expectations placed on the redshirt freshman heading into the season.
Former NFL players Breiden Fehoko, who last played for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2024, and Emmanuel Acho, who played for the Philadelphia Eagles, posted some criticism on X for the young quarterback.
Fehoko pointed out that Manning showed some good moments but made it clear there’s plenty he needs to improve on. He even took a shot at him, saying Manning should put in work at the Manning Passing Academy next summer.
I won’t say Arch is bad but MAN he needs ALOT of work. His progressions, timing, ball placement all needs work. Definitely needs to hit Manning passing academy hard next summer.
— Breiden Fehoko (@BreidenFehoko) August 30, 2025
“I won’t say Arch is bad, but MAN he needs A LOT of work,” Fehoko wrote. “His progressions, timing, ball placement all needs work. Definitely needs to hit Manning passing academy hard next summer.”
While Acho criticized Manning’s ability to read and process defensive coverages, saying the Texas quarterback fell back on old high school habits in the loss to Ohio State.
Arch is trying to overcompensate for processing the defensive picture late with increased ball velocity.
That works in high school, and works against lesser opponents. It won’t work against a top defense.
He has to see it faster, or Sark has to scheme it open. Period.
— Emmanuel Acho (@EmmanuelAcho) August 30, 2025
“Arch is trying to overcompensate for processing the defensive picture late with increased ball velocity,” Acho posted to X. “That works in high school, and works against lesser opponents. It won’t work against a top defense. He has to see it faster, or Sark has to scheme it open. Period.”
It’s fair criticism for Manning, as he did struggle throughout the game, especially with making the easy completions and processing the defense.
The good news is that it’s only Week One for Texas and Manning. After the loss to the Buckeyes, he’ll have a chance to regroup and get back in the lab before the Longhorns take the field again on Saturday, September 6, against San Jose State.
As for the polls to drop pending Week One, the No. 1 Texas Longhorns will surely drop at least down to Ohio State’s No. 3 ranking.
