Quarterback Arch Manning is set to take the reins as the starting quarterback for the Texas Longhorns next season. After a promising freshman year where he served as a backup to Quinn Ewers, Manning has fans buzzing with excitement about what he can bring to the field in 2025. His journey with the Longhorns has been nothing short of captivating, and now, as he prepares for his sophomore season, the anticipation is palpable.
The Road to Texas: A Fork in the Path
Interestingly, Manning’s college career could have taken a different turn. During an episode of ESPN’s First Take in 2022, NFL insider Rece Davis revealed that the Georgia Bulldogs had expressed interest in acquiring Manning before he committed to Texas. Davis noted, “The relationship with Sarkisian was huge and has been there from his (Sarkisian) days as a coordinator at Alabama and carried over to Texas.” Despite the Bulldogs’ attempts to sway him, Manning’s loyalty to coach Steve Sarkisian ultimately guided his decision to join the Longhorns.
Impressive Freshman Performance
Manning’s inaugural season with Texas was marked by a redshirt designation, but he still managed to make a significant impact. In the 2024 season, he completed 61 passes for 939 yards and tossed nine touchdowns. His standout performance came during a dominant 56-7 victory over the UTSA Roadrunners on September 14, 2024, where he completed 9 of 12 passes for an impressive 223 yards and four touchdowns. This kind of performance has fans dreaming of what he can achieve as the starting quarterback.
Transitioning to the Starting Role
With Quinn Ewers declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft after an impressive college career—where he completed 737 passes for 9,128 yards and 68 touchdowns—Manning is now poised to step into the starting role. This announcement has sent waves of excitement through the Longhorns’ fanbase, who are eager to see what Manning can do as the leader of the offense.
On January 15, Texas shared a photo of Manning training for his upcoming sophomore year on social media. The tweet, which featured a caption reading “Day one” alongside the iconic “Hook ’em Horns” emoji, showed Manning in high spirits, rallying his teammates as they gear up for the season ahead.
A Season of High Hopes
The Longhorns had a successful 2024 season, making it to the College Football Playoff semifinals, although they faced a tough 28-14 defeat against the Ohio State Buckeyes on January 10. Despite the loss, the experience gained during the playoffs will be invaluable for Manning and the rest of the team as they look to build on their success in the coming season.
Texas fans are hopeful that Manning’s leadership will guide the team to another playoff appearance, and perhaps even a shot at a national championship. The combination of his talent and the strong support from the coaching staff and fanbase sets the stage for an exciting season.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Arch Manning?
As Manning prepares for the 2025 season, the pressure is on, but so is the excitement. He has the opportunity to carve out his legacy at Texas, following in the footsteps of legendary quarterbacks who have donned the Longhorns’ jersey. With a solid foundation built during his freshman year and the lessons learned from watching Ewers, Manning is ready to take the next step.
Fans are eager to see how he will adapt to the starting role, and whether he can elevate the Longhorns to new heights. The upcoming season promises to be thrilling, with Manning at the helm, and supporters are ready to rally behind their new star quarterback.
In the world of college football, the spotlight is always shining bright, and Arch Manning is ready to step into it. Will he lead Texas to glory? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the journey is just beginning, and the excitement is building.
