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Eduardo Razo is a sports writer based in Los Angeles, California who covers college football along with the NFL, NBA, and MLB. He has worked as a freelance writer for The Sporting News and has previously covered teams for NBC Sports Washington and NBC Sports Bay Area & California. He also worked as an editor at Athlon Sports.
Contributing Sports Writer
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Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
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Arch Manning faces pressure in leading his team to a national title as the Texas Longhorns entered the 2025 season as the No. 1-ranked team in the AP Top 25 preseason ranking. Nonetheless, one analyst doesn’t want the signal-caller to shoulder all the responsibility immediately.
Along with the expectations of being the Longhorns’ starter this season, Manning has to live up to his last name, so his measuring stick of success is vastly different than the typical college football starting quarterback.
Arch Manning #16 of the Texas Longhorns warms up before the game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field on November 30, 2024 in College Station, Texas.
Arch Manning #16 of the Texas Longhorns warms up before the game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field on November 30, 2024 in College Station, Texas.
Tim Warner/Getty Images
Nonetheless, ESPN college football analyst EJ Manuel laid out a recipe for Manning to have early success as the 21-year-old finds his groove as the Texas starter.
“The best part for Arch is that he’s been in this system for three years,” Manuel said on “College Football Countdown.” “To have that consistency from the play caller and then also being around the guys… But I think the biggest key for him, expectation-wise, is use your weapons. Don’t feel like you have to be the hero every single play.
READ MORE: Oregon Ducks Gain Key Big Ten Backing Ahead of 2025 Season
“Sometimes if it calls for you to check it down on third down, do that. You have a great defense on that side. Three guys are all-Americans on that defense. Also, you got a slew of running backs as well, and again, one of the best play callers in the country is Steve Sarkisian. So he’s going to handle all the expectations. The Heisman, all that stuff will come. Just handle the first thing against Ohio State.”
Last season, Manning got his first taste as Texas’ quarterback to help prepare him for this campaign, as the Longhorns now turn to him after the departure of Quinn Ewers to the NFL this offseason. The young signal caller played in 10 games, completing 67.8 percent of his passes for 939 yards, nine touchdowns, and two interceptions.
READ MORE: Dan Le Batard Shares Strong Take on Texas Longhorns QB Arch Manning
Manning will be tossed into the deep end of the pool right out of the gate as Texas travel to Columbus for a Week 1 showdown against Ohio State on August 30.
For more on college football, head to Newsweek Sports.