Arch Manning’s biggest weaknesses exposed as Heisman favorite shows cracks in his otherwise flawless game

Arch Manning - English NCAA NCAAF - English Ohio State Buckeyes - English Sports Texas Longhorns - English

add

Arch Manning’s last name alone turns heads. With uncles Peyton and Eli, as well as his grandfather Archie, football greatness is in his DNA. Now, he’s stepping up as the Texas Longhorns‘ starting quarterback, and the buzz is deafening: top prospect for the 2026 NFL Draft, Heisman favorite-you name it. Longhorns fans are eager to see him end their 20-year national title drought, especially after Quinn Ewers handed over the reins and joined the Dolphins. However, despite the hype, Manning has some significant hurdles ahead.

The Longhorns have come close to glory lately, they are the only team in the nation to make the College Football Playoff the past two seasons, only to lose in the semifinals both times. In 2023, Washington eliminated them in the old four-team setup, and last year, Ohio State, the eventual champions, knocked them out in the new 12-team format. Texas and Ohio State are both expected to contend for the title again this season, and they’re kicking things off against each other in Columbus. Talk about a baptism by fire-Manning’s first big test as starting quarterback couldn’t be against a tougher team.

Breaking Down Manning: The Good and the Rough Spots

Manning got a taste of the spotlight last year when Ewers was injured. In his two starts, he didn’t just hold the fort; he torched it. He guided Texas to lopsided wins with a combined score of 86-16. Against UTSA, he bolted for a 67-yard touchdown run, the longest by a Longhorns quarterback since Vince Young lit up the field. Across 10 games, he amassed 939 passing yards and nine touchdowns, completing nearly 68% of his passes.

He also rushed for 108 yards and four touchdowns. For a player who barely saw the field, these numbers suggest significant potential. However, he’s only thrown the ball 95 times in his college career. That’s a tiny sample size, and leading a team all season-especially one with Texas’s legacy-is an entirely different story.

The cracks start showing when you dig deeper. ESPN’s Jordan Reid, who’s evaluating next year’s draft prospects, identified a major issue: Manning relies too heavily on his initial read. It’s a rookie habit that can lead to poor decision-making under pressure.

For a Heisman favorite, that’s a red flag that teams like Ohio State will exploit. Still, he’s not sitting idle. A video from Tulane’s Yulman Stadium last week showed him zipping passes, dodging with slick feet, and maintaining good form. The kid’s working hard, no doubt, but practice reps don’t always translate to game-day success.

Cash, Fame, and What’s Next for Arch Manning

Then there’s the off-field stuff. Manning’s a money magnet. According to On3’s NIL tracker, his name, image, and likeness are valued at $6.5 million, which is the highest among college athletes. Deals with Panini America, EA Sports, Red Bull, Uber, and Vuori have him cashing checks larger than those of some NFL rookies. That kind of money changes the game. If this season flops-if he suffers another semifinal exit or a nagging injury, for example-he has the financial cushion to stay in Austin for another year instead of turning pro. Most college stars don’t have that flexibility, but Manning’s got it made.

This news was originally published on this post .

Tagged as:
Arch Manning - English NCAA NCAAF - English Ohio State Buckeyes - English Texas Longhorns - English

Share on

email

Previous

Red Sox call up Roman Anthony to bat fifth Monday vs. Rays

Sports

Next

trending_flat

Patriots minicamp takeaways: As Stefon Diggs rehabs, rookie playmakers shine on Day 1 of mandatory workouts

Sports