With Texas football quarterback Quinn Ewers declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft on Wednesday, it’s now the Arch Manning show in Austin, Texas.
Manning, the nephew of legendary NFL quarterbacks Peyton and Eli Manning, has served as Ewers’ backup for each of the past two seasons, and enters 2025 as a redshirt sophomore with two seasons of eligibility remaining.
Former Texas quarterback Colt McCoy, one of the best Longhorns ever, gave the former No. 1-ranked recruit advice heading into his first offseason as the starter.
‘I think there’s so much value in him being in the program over the last two years and getting to see a guy like Quinn Ewers on a day-to-day basis,’ McCoy said via Underdog Fantasy on social media. ‘What’s his schedule like? What’s he studying on Tuesdays? What’s he looking at on Wednesdays? How’s he taking care of his body? All those things, I think those lessons and hours spent in the building will play a big role for Arch as he moves forward to be the starter.’
Manning got a taste of being Texas’ starter in 2024, making two starts and playing the majority of another after Ewers’ early season injury. The 6-foot-4 signal caller was electric, too, passing for 939 yards with nine touchdowns to two interceptions, along with 82 rushing yards and two scores in games against UTSA, Louisiana Monroe and Mississippi State.
McCoy added how Manning approaches the offseason will be pivotal to his success as the full-time starter in 2025.
‘This offseason, this is a time for him to attack,’ McCoy said. ‘To work on some of the things he knows he needs to work on. He played three games. What were some things I wasn’t good at? What were some things I was good at? How can I get better? How can I have a great spring? … There’s a lot to build on if you’re looking at the entirety of the Texas football team, but for Arch, there’s a great opportunity that he’s walking into. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself, go out there and be you. Play to your strengths.
‘We’re all different as quarterbacks, we all have an edge somehow. And I think if Arch is smart, he’ll figure out ‘what’s my edge?”
Manning, a former five-star recruit, has been one of the most covered athletes in college football, despite not yet being a full-time starter. He’ll have his chance to step into the spotlight in 2025, hoping to bring Texas to the national championship after the Longhorns fell in the College Football Playoff semifinals in back-to-back years.