Texas quarterback Arch Manning has been limited throughout the Longhorns’ spring practice sessions so far due to a minor offseason foot surgery. Manning is receiving plenty of preseason Heisman-Trophy hype once again and has been tabbed as one of the best returning quarterbacks in college football entering next season.
After a stellar transfer portal window, the Longhorns are one of the teams in the running to contend for both the SEC championship and national title next season.
Cooper Manning Details Family’s Role in Arch Manning’s Career
Since he joined the Longhorns as a five-star, No. 1 overall-ranked prospect in the class of 2023, Manning has courted plenty of attention due to his family ties. He is the grandson of NFL legend Archie Manning and the nephew of Eli and Peyton Manning, heightening expectations over his potential in both college football and the NFL.
During Monday’s segment of “The Stampede” podcast, the Texas quarterback’s father, Cooper, revealed the roles his father and brothers play in Arch’s career.
“I think he picks spots from all of them. I liked that those guys all had their own relationships,” Cooper said. “Arch can call Peyton about something, he can call Eli, and [he] talks to my dad a good bit.
“It was fun having my dad in New Orleans when we were coming up. Archie would be over for dinner, would be at flag football games, he would go to practice. He was a big presence in Arch’s life. Those other guys have children, they live in different towns, they’re uncles. They’re there as a resource and if you want to use it, call me and I’ll do anything for him. They love spending time at the Manning Passing Academy.”
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After succeeding Quinn Ewers as the Longhorns’ QB1 last year, Manning had a rocky start to the 2025 season and endured widespread criticism. In fact, he was even booed by Texas fans at Darrell K-Royal Texas Memorial Stadium after a poor performance against the UTEP Miners on Sept. 13.
He recovered and led Texas on a 7-1 run and on the verge of College Football Playoff qualification before falling just short. The Longhorns ultimately won the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl with a blowout win against the Michigan Wolverines.
Manning finished the season with 3,163 passing yards, 26 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions, while adding 399 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns. He was the No. 37-ranked QB in the nation in PFSN’s CFB QB Impact metric with an 83.1 grade (just behind Miami’s Carson Beck, who posted an 83.3 grade).
Despite his up-and-down campaign, he is already being mocked by many as the No. 1 pick in the 2027 NFL Draft in what projects to be one of the most stacked quarterback classes in recent memory.
