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Arch Manning has officially stepped into the spotlight at the University of Texas. After two seasons behind Quinn Ewers, the highly touted quarterback will lead the Longhorns' offense in 2025, and the hype is already swirling.
With Texas reaching the College Football Playoff in back-to-back years, the pressure is on Manning to keep the team in national title contention. Despite limited playing time-just two starts-Manning has already shown flashes of brilliance.
He's thrown for 939 yards, nine touchdowns, and completed nearly 68% of his es, making a strong early impression. That early success, paired with his famous last name, has fueled speculation that he could be a top NFL Draft pick and even a Heisman contender this season.
But not everyone is convinced that the praise is warranted-or that Manning is ready for the next level just yet.
Panthers coach pushes back on Arch Manning NFL projections
Former Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray stirred controversy by suggesting Texas waited too long to start Manning, especially following Ewers' struggles in last season's Cotton Bowl loss to Ohio State.
On a recent podcast, Murray questioned Manning's readiness: "If you're so good, why in the h- are you not playing above a seventh-round quarterback?"
That criticism didn't sit well with several former NFL players. On the Raw Room podcast, Daren Bates, now an assistant coach with the Carolina Panthers, ed Jalen Collins, King Dunlap, and Dallas Johnson in defending the young quarterback.
Bates said, "I bet Aaron Murray wish he didn't say that, whatever the f- he said about Arch Manning."
The group also questioned Murray's authority to criticize, pointing out his lack of an NFL career. Drafted in the fifth round by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2014, Murray never played a regular-season game and spent most of his time on practice squads.
"That's crazy to say, bro. That's a lot of hate. I don't know why you hating on young fella," Bates added.
When the topic turned to Manning's NFL potential, Johnson speculated he could go first overall, but Bates quickly interrupted: "I don't know about that. That's a prediction. He's still 19 years old."
Bates was especially dismissive when presented with a 2026 mock draft that placed Manning among the top four quarterbacks. "Get that sh- out of my face," he said. "I hate this... I hate this 'Too early draft prediction.' Man, 'shut the f**k up'."
Still, the excitement around Manning is far from slowing down.
Analysts see elite traits in Arch Manning's game
While NFL veterans like Bates remain cautious, prominent college football analysts are leaning into the hype. Fox Sports' Joel Klatt recently ranked Manning as the second-best quarterback in college football for the season, right behind Cade Klubnik. Despite his limited resume, Klatt praised Manning's physical tools and dual-threat ability.
"In those couple of starts that he got, he flashed this ability to run, that looks like Trevor Lawrence," Klatt said, referencing the former Clemson star and current Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback, who signed a $275 million contract.
Klatt also pointed out how Manning energized Texas' offense when Ewers went down with injury, showing poise and mobility that caught the attention of NFL scouts.
While he acknowledged that Manning needs more experience, Klatt expressed confidence in Texas' coaching staff to help him develop into a top-tier prospect.
With the Longhorns ranked No. 1 in the AP Poll and a deep roster at his disposal, Manning has a real chance to silence doubters and turn potential into production.
Whether he lives up to lofty expectations remains to be seen-but the scrutiny is only just beginning.