SAEDNEWS: Arch Manning, Texas Longhorns’ star quarterback, faced a harsh reality check after a disappointing debut against Ohio State, losing his spot among the top-50 quarterbacks in the country. His journey back starts this week against San Jose State.
According to Saed News; Arch Manning, nephew of Peyton and Eli Manning, entered last week’s season opener against Ohio State as the most high-profile player in the country. The Heisman Trophy favorite and projected No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft carried enormous expectations.
A top-rated recruit in the 2023 high school class, Manning completed 67.8% of his passes as a backup last season with 939 yards and nine touchdowns. He also rushed for four touchdowns on 25 carries. All eyes were on the young quarterback as he prepared for his first season as a starter.
Manning’s debut did not go as planned. The Texas QB completed just 17 of 30 passes in a 14-7 loss, with most completions within two yards of the line of scrimmage.
Throughout the game, Manning appeared confused, missed several easy passes, threw a crucial interception, and could not lead the Longhorns to points until the late fourth quarter. His performance left fans and analysts questioning if the Heisman hype was premature.
CBS Sports had ranked Manning as the top quarterback prospect in the country entering the season. After the Ohio State game, not only did he lose that top ranking, but he also fell completely out of CBS Sports’ top-50 quarterback list.
David Cobb from CBS Sports noted: “Manning's performance in Texas’ 14-7 loss at Ohio State was particularly jarring. The former No. 1 overall prospect didn’t complete a pass of more than nine yards until the fourth quarter.”
Manning admitted the game exposed the challenges of facing top-tier competition in a full-length match. Despite all the hype, reality set in: the young quarterback must improve to meet high expectations.
Manning now has a chance to redeem himself against the San Jose State Spartans. With a less challenging opponent, fans will be watching closely to see if the young star can regain his confidence and prove why he was once the nation’s most hyped quarterback.
While the Ohio State loss was a sobering start, it’s also an opportunity for growth and resilience. Manning’s journey has just begun, and the 2025 season remains full of potential.
