Arch Manning is set to take over as the Texas Longhorns’ starting quarterback next season, stepping in after Quinn Ewers declared for the NFL Draft a little more than over a week 
ago. Manning has spent the past two seasons developing, redshirting his first year, and serving as Ewers’ backup this past season. While his playing time has been limited, Manning has shown flashes of his potential and even had calls from fans to start over Ewers permanently. This year, he started two games when Ewers was sidelined by injury and was brought in during yard-to-gain red-zone situations. In total, he completed 61-of-90 passes for 939 yards, nine touchdowns, and two interceptions. He also added 108 rushing yards and four touchdowns.
With the NFL Draft approaching in April, experts are rolling out their mock drafts. Manning isn’t eligible yet since he’s only spent two of the required three seasons in college, but if all college players were draft-eligible, where would he land? Fox Sports draft analyst Rob Rang explored that idea, releasing a 2025 first-round mock draft that included both underclassmen and eligible players. Manning was at the top of the list, going No. 1 overall to the Tennessee Titans. “While the sample size is undeniably tiny, Manning has already demonstrated the requisite size, arm strength, accuracy and athleticism to project as a future NFL star, like his famous uncles and grandfather,” Rang wrote.
The former five-star recruit and the No. 1 overall prospect in the class of 2023 comes from a family of NFL quarterback legends. He’s the nephew of Peyton and Eli Manning and the grandson of Archie Manning. Manning, 19, will make his first start of the 2025 season on Aug. 30 in a rematch against the defending College Football Playoff national champions, the Ohio State Buckeyes. The Longhorns recently faced the Buckeyes in the CFP semifinal on Jan. 10