2025 will mark the first season that Arch Manning gets the chance to be the Week 1 starting quarterback for the Texas Longhorns. But after Manning sat behind Quinn Ewers for two years, ESPN college football analyst Aaron Murray has some doubts about Manning as a future NFL prospect.
Manning saw the field in ten games this past season, some of which served as a goal-line quarterback for his rushing ability, and some of which served in relief of an injured Ewers. The numbers Manning put up were largely impressive, throwing for 939 yards with nine passing touchdowns and only three interceptions while completing 67.8% of his passes.
Still, there are some questions as to how Manning will perform against some of the top teams in the SEC, whom he has yet to face in his career.
Ultimately, the unknown for Manning far outweighs the potential for him in the eyes of Aaron Murray, who voiced some of his own concerns during an appearance on the SEC This Morning podcast on SiriusXM Radio.
“I am not sold, like so many of the other people are, that this guy is going to be the number one pick in NFL draft, that he’s going to just be unbelievable, that he’s going to be the next coming of Peyton and Eli, but that’s mobile,” Murray said “And I said this last year during the season, too, because I was a big fan of Quinn Ewers heading into the season. I thought Quinn did some good stuff at times last season, but let’s be honest, Texas had probably the second or third best roster in America, probably the second or third. Why were they not competing for a national championship?
“It was because Quinn was holding them back. Quinn did not perform to the level that I thought he could, and then you see now in the NFL Draft, I mean, he gets drafted in the seventh round? So even NFL scouts are saying, like, this guy’s just maybe not as good as anticipated coming out as a recruit, or maybe even two years ago.”
“If you are so good… why in the hell are you not playing above a 7th round QB?”@aaronmurray11 told @ESPNDari why he’s not as high on Texas QB Arch Manning as others.
#SECThisMorning pic.twitter.com/xpzXl2gG92
— College Sports on SiriusXM (@SXMCollege) May 16, 2025
Ultimately, Murray is holding the fact that Manning couldn’t win the starting job from Ewers against him, claiming that it “rubs him the wrong way” about Manning’s prospects as a pro that he didn’t beat out Ewers.
“So all in all, Quinn Ewers had a disappointing season, and it reflected in his draft stock,” Murray added. “If you are so good and everyone has you projected number one pick in the NFL Draft, come 2026, why in the hell are you not playing above a seventh-round quarterback? If Steve Sarkisian knows what he’s doing and he knows how good their roster is, which I’ve talked to a lot of coaches and a lot of different teams, and I asked them, like, what are the top rosters? Ohio, State, Texas, and probably Georgia. What was holding them back? Quinn Ewers. Why was Arch not playing? It’s like that rubs me the wrong way a little bit.”
“And then you watch the tape, and yeah, it looks good at times. I wouldn’t say it looks incredible. It doesn’t scream first-round talent to me off the back. And I’m not saying he can’t get there. And I’m never going to talk bad about a quarterback, because I know how difficult it is. I’m cheering for him like I cheer for every quarterback. I want them all to have success, but I need to see it first. I’m not going to crown you this All-American superstar.”
Some of what Murray said here has some validity, as it may be too soon to anoint Manning as the surefire No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Still, it is a bit harsh for Murray to question the fact that Manning wasn’t able to start last season over Ewers, considering the drastic edge in experience Ewers had over his former teammate last year.
Ultimately, Steve Sarkisian opted to go with the more experienced player at quarterback, which is likely something that many other coaches also would have done, regardless of Manning’s talent level.
Manning will be monitored closely throughout his first season as the Longhorns’ starter. And at least early on, most mock drafts tend to disagree with Murray, as numerous outlets, including Walter Football, Pro Football Focus, and CBS Sports, all have Manning as their top overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.