Texas quarterback Arch Manning had an inconsistent first season under center for the Longhorns as they barely missed out on a spot in the College Football Playoff. Manning was the preseason Heisman Trophy favorite and the torrent of criticism started immediately after the Longhorns’ loss to the Ohio State Buckeyes in Week 1.
What Did Arch Manning’s Father Say To Blast the Hype Around His Son?
Although Manning went on to deliver a strong finish to the season, he will once again be one of the most scrutinized players in college football because of his family name.
Manning arrived in Austin to unmitigated hype from both fans and analysts because he was the grandson of NFL legend Archie Manning and nephew to Eli and Peyton Manning, but also because he was a five-star recruit and the No. 1 prospect in the class of 2023.
During Tuesday’s segment of “The Audible” podcast, the quarterback’s father, Cooper Manning, addressed the hype and criticism that surrounded his son’s performances last season.
“The hype was so much. Over the top. Crazy. If they were the 20th-ranked team, which they probably should’ve been, and they got beat by 7 at Ohio State, it wouldn’t be the end of the world,” Cooper Manning said.
“But all the fluff and the nonsense that comes with it, and it adds to the useless banter that goes on. I’ve learned to limit what I read and listen to. It’s actually quite liberating.”
In both his freshman and sophomore seasons, Manning’s name was bandied about whenever former Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers had a bad game and after he took over as the Longhorns’ QB1, the adoration and criticism were dished out from all corners in equal measure.
Cooper Manning Delivers Warning About Texas QB
During this week’s segment of “The Audible,” Cooper Manning further delivered a warning about his son’s performances next season and the hype that has already started to build around the Texas quarterback after finishing last season strongly.
“People would try to downgrade the whole thing in one little week or two, it’s kinda silly,” Cooper Manning said. “It’ll start all over again, and then he’ll be hyped up again this offseason, it’s coming, and he’ll have some bad games next year, and here it comes again.
“The coverage of sports is over the top, and there are too many people doing it. It’s no different than when they were saying he was the greatest thing since sliced bread early in the season before he’d ever played.”
Manning earned a PFSN College QB Impact score of 83.1 after registering 3,163 passing yards, resulting in 26 touchdowns and 7 interceptions, while adding 399 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns.
He was responsible for the Longhorns’ late-season revival that saw them finish with a 10-3 record and a Cheez-It Citrus Bowl win against the Michigan Wolverines, accounting for 15 touchdowns and 2 interceptions in their last eight games.
