The hype around Arch Manning has reached an all-time high with the college football season just weeks away. From bold Heisman projections to mock drafts crowning him the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the University of Texas quarterback has already been put on a high pedestal — despite having seen limited action on the field.
But inside the Manning family circle, there’s far less noise and a lot more grounding.
In a recent Texas Monthly feature, Arch’s grandfather, Archie Manning, pushed back on the headlines suggesting his grandson might jump ship early for the NFL.
“Arch isn’t going to do that,” he said. “He’ll be at Texas.”
That comment doesn’t stem from a sit-down heart-to-heart with Arch, he admits, but rather from a lifetime of knowing the young quarterback’s mindset and the family values that shape him. For the Mannings, loyalty matters more than anything.
To them, the hype feels more like a trap. Archie was skeptical of the premature praise.
“People are saying he’s a Heisman candidate,” he said. “You’re not a Heisman Trophy candidate when you haven’t played but three games. It’s crazy.”
Arch’s father, Cooper Manning, echoed the concern in an interview with Dan Patrick, suggesting the media has a habit of building young stars up just to tear them down.
“He’s getting way too much attention and way too much credit,” Cooper said. “And he’s going to struggle. And they’re going to say, ‘He’s not that good. He’s overrated.’”
For his part, Arch seems unfazed. During a media availability earlier this spring, he shrugged off the outside noise.
“I don’t think about that,” he said. “I’m just trying to execute completions and move the ball forward.”
Instead of chasing headlines, Arch reportedly models his approach after former Longhorns quarterback and friend Quinn Ewers, focusing on film, fundamentals, and blocking out distractions.
The real test arrives on Aug. 30, when Texas travels to Columbus to face reigning national champion Ohio State in a primetime matchup at Ohio Stadium. It will mark Arch’s official debut as the Longhorns’ starting quarterback, and a rematch of last year’s national semifinal loss.
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