Arch Manning made a significant impact in high school football and brought heightened expectations when he joined the Texas Longhorns. Analysts are keenly observing what Manning might contribute in what could be his last year in college football. Despite the excitement, his grandfather, Archie Manning, expressed some reservations about the intense scrutiny surrounding the young quarterback.

“I was kind of disappointed in a lot of, just a lot of people.” Archie Manning shared with KXAN-TV his thoughts on the premature expectations set on his grandson. “They kind of crowned Arch before he ever played. And I just didn’t think that was fair.”

Despite a challenging start against a formidable opponent, Archie Manning praised Arch’s resilience and improvement over the last eight or nine games of the previous season. Arch Manning showcased his skills with a rushing touchdown against Michigan Wolverines during the second half at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, on December 31, 2025.

As the countdown to the college football season begins, Arch Manning again faces the spotlight. Expectations are high for him to lead the Longhorns to the College Football Playoff and distinguish himself among other quarterback prospects for the NFL Draft. Manning’s performance in 2025 included 3,163 passing yards and 26 touchdown passes, demonstrating his growing prowess on the field.

Texas Longhorns will kick off their 2026 season against Texas State on September 5, followed by a significant matchup with Ohio State on September 12. The anticipation builds as fans and analysts await whether Manning will meet or exceed the vast expectations set upon him.