Arch Manning is gearing up to become the full-time starting quarterback for the Texas Longhorns in 2025. And even with just two career starts, the hype surrounding him has already reached epic proportions.
College football might not be ready for what’s coming. Manning, a redshirt sophomore, isn’t just carrying one of the most storied surnames in football on his back — he’s doing it while wearing the iconic burnt orange jersey of Texas.
Expectations are sky-high in Austin, with the Longhorns once again favored to make a serious run at both the College Football Playoff and the national championship.
As The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman recently said on The Rich Eisen Show, if Manning does help Texas capture its first national title in two decades, it could fast-track his jump to the pros.
“(Leaving for the NFL) would be a great thing for Texas because that means he probably won the national title,” Feldman said.
Despite the limited on-field résumé, many already appear eager to fast-forward past Manning’s college career and focus on his NFL future. And if he lives up to that billing, Manning could be in line for a historic payday.
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According to Fox Sports’ Eric Williams, Manning could become the first $100 million-per-year quarterback in NFL history. He’s already projected by some as the potential No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and is reportedly earning $6.5 million annually in NIL money — giving him little incentive to rush into the league.
Williams noted that other elite quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, or Joe Burrow are also in line to hit that threshold on future deals of their own. But Manning’s youth, potential, and marketing power could set him apart in a rapidly growing quarterback market.
For comparison, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott currently leads all NFL players with an average salary of $60 million per year. By the time Manning reaches a second contract, the quarterback market could easily surpass the $100 million mark.
Still, not everyone is convinced Manning will enter the 2026 draft. Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer has suggested that due to his limited experience, he may stay in school longer, potentially entering the NFL in 2027 or 2028 — which would place his second contract around 2031 or 2032.