The early days of Arch Manning’s tenure as the starting quarterback for the Texas Longhorns have been challenging. In their season opener on August 30, 2025, the Longhorns fell to Ohio State with a score of 14-7. This disappointing debut has led to scrutiny and criticism, particularly from ESPN analyst Paul Finebaum, who has reassessed his initial expectations for the young quarterback.
Manning, 21, entered Texas with immense pressure and high expectations. Following the loss to Ohio State, Finebaum expressed his disappointment on the program *First Take*, stating, “The bottom line is Arch Manning is not playing like an elite quarterback. He’s barely playing like a pedestrian quarterback.” This marked a significant pivot from Finebaum’s earlier remarks, where he had suggested that Manning could emerge as a contender for the prestigious Heisman Trophy.
The atmosphere surrounding Manning intensified as representatives from the Cleveland Browns attended the Longhorns’ opening game, indicating NFL interest despite his lackluster performance against a formidable defense. Criticism grew as Manning struggled to make impactful plays, leading to a barrage of negative commentary.
In a subsequent game against San Jose State, Manning rebounded with a more promising performance, leading Texas to a 38-7 victory. Despite this improvement, Finebaum cautioned against overreacting, asserting that “he had some good plays, but that game doesn’t mean anything.” He further emphasized that Manning should not be considered a Heisman candidate at this time, stating, “Ultimately, I think we all jumped the gun.”
The pressure on Manning is compounded by his family legacy in football. Named after his grandfather, Archie Manning, who had a celebrated career with the New Orleans Saints, Arch is also the nephew of two NFL legends, Peyton Manning and Eli Manning, both of whom have won two Super Bowl titles. This family connection has led to heightened scrutiny and expectations from fans and analysts alike.
Finebaum remarked on the importance of managing Manning’s media exposure, suggesting that “what he doesn’t need is his coach babying him in the media. That’s the worst thing that can happen when you already have the name that a lot of people want to hate on.” Despite the challenges, Finebaum remains optimistic about Manning’s potential to succeed at Texas, encouraging patience as the quarterback continues to develop.
As the Longhorns prepare for their next matchup against the UTEP Miners, the spotlight will remain on Manning. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if he can rise to the occasion and fulfill the expectations that come with his storied last name.
