Arch Manning waited two full seasons for the opportunity to be the starting quarterback at Texas – an almost unheard of progression for a five-star quarterback.
Transfer rumors persist. Speculation about Manning's NFL Draft arrival date continues. Peyton Manning – Arch's uncle and a two-time Super Bowl winner – will not speak for Arch when it comes to the future.
Yet Peyton Manning is among those that believe Arch Manning's patience the last two years with the Longhorns will pay off in 2025. Looking at the Manning family history, that progression tracks.
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"I'm proud of Arch," Peyton Manning told Sporting News. "He went to Texas because that's where he wanted to go. He wanted to go to school there. That was the reason I went to Tennessee."
Peyton Manning played four years at Tennessee. He finished 39-6 as a starter before being selected with the No. 1 pick in the 1998 NFL Draft. Eli Manning waited two seasons to become the starter at Ole Miss and spent five seasons in college before becoming the No. 1 pick in the 2004 NFL Draft. Peyton and Eli each won two Super Bowls as part of prolific NFL careers.
That has led to similar prognostications for Arch Manning – who will be a first-time starter for the Longhorns as a redshirt sophomore in 2025.
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Why Peyton Manning believes Arch Manning will have success in 2025
Quinn Ewers started at Texas the last two seasons. Arch Manning made two starts last season when Ewers was out with an oblique injury.
The limited sample size contributed to the hype. Arch Manning is 63 of 95 (66.3%) for 969 yards, nine TDs and two interceptions the last two seasons. He added 115 rushing yards and four TDs. The appetite is high – and Arch Manning comes into the 2025 college football season as SN's top quarterback despite that limited experience.
Peyton Manning said the long-term benefits of staying at Texas the last two seasons and learning should contribute to Arch Manning's success this season.
"It's more than just the football program," Peyton Manning said. "You like going to school there. You like the head coach who also calls the plays, and that creates great continuity. To me, the Kyle Shanahans, the Sean McVays – when the head coach is calling the plays – the quarterback is going to thrive in the same system every single year."
Peyton Manning would know. He had the same head coach in Phillip Fulmer and offensive coordinator in David Cutcliffe for four years with Tennessee. Peyton Manning played for three head coaches and two offensive coordinators in 13 seasons with the Colts. He had two head coaches and three coordinators in four years with the Broncos.
It might be more important at the college level. Arch Manning has head coach Steve Sarkisian, who calls plays, and the same offensive coordinator in Kyle Flood. Arch Manning did not opt for the transfer portal. Of the top eight quarterbacks in 247Sports.com's recruiting rankings for 2023, he is the only QB who stayed at his original school.
Peyton Manning believes the system matters.
"The fact that this will be Arch's third year in that system, he'll have great knowledge of the system – still hasn't had on-the-field game reps as I'm sure he would have liked, but those will come this year," Peyton Manning said. "There will be things for him to learn, but I'm proud of him for his commitment and I'm looking forward to watching him play."
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Peyton Manning on benefits of staying in college
Peyton Manning's choice to attend Tennessee – especially given his father Archie was a star at Ole Miss – was one of the most followed recruiting decisions of the 1990s.
Peyton Manning was in college long before the transfer portal and Name, Image and Likeness took effect. Would NIL have impacted that choice?
"Those are all hypothetical questions – but when I got recruited I took five official visits and several unofficial visits," Peyton Manning said. "It was hard. There were a lot of different schools I wanted to go to, but you have to pick one. It was a tough decision, but going to Tennessee was the best decision I ever made.
"Heck, I stayed all four years," he said. "I had my degree in three years, could've come out as a junior and I stayed all four years. That tells you how much I loved my college experience as a student athlete."
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There is speculation Arch Manning might return for a fourth season at Texas in similar fashion. Manning reportedly has a lucrative NIL deal with the Longhorns. Of the last 21 quarterbacks to be selected No. 1 in the NFL Draft – a run that started with Peyton Manning in 1998 – a total of 19 of those quarterbacks started for multiple seasons in college.
Peyton Manning did not divulge whether Arch Manning should follow that stay-in-school path. Peyton, however, does believe most student-athletes are right to be patient.
"My wish for student-athletes is that they get to participate in college sports," he said. "That they enjoy everything about that experience and not be in such a hurry that they get to the next destination."
Peyton Manning also said he has not put any thought into what might happen if his nephew plays against Tennessee. The Longhorns and Volunteers do not play in the 2025 regular season – and the 2026 SEC schedule has not been released yet. So for Peyton Manning – there is no reason to worry about a conflict of interest. At least not yet.
"I haven't gotten that far," Peyton Manning said. "I pull hard for my Tennessee Volunteers every single week, but I'll be pulling hard for my nephew this year."