Arch Manning is preparing to lead Texas as a starting quarterback for the first time in his college football career, and the 21-year-old is being touted for awards before a ball has been thrown
17:57 ET, 29 Jul 2025Updated 17:57 ET, 29 Jul 2025
Arch Manning played in several games for Texas last season when then-starter Quinn Ewers was injured(Image: Getty Images)
Arch Manning is in line to emerge as a contender to win the Maxwell Award after acknowledging he is focusing on Texas with the NFL Draft looming.
Manning’s dual-threat ability adds another layer to the Texas offense, but head coach Steve Sarkisian resisted calls to insert him in the lineup with Quinn Ewers around. Now with Ewers entering the draft and landing with the Dolphins, Manning is now set to lead Texas into a new era.
Manning is preparing for his first year as a starting quarterback in college. While he could declare for the 2026 NFL Draft, Manning is focused on Texas and could win a key award.
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The Maxwell Award has been given to the College Player of the Year since 1937. On Monday, the Maxwell Football Club announced that Manning and junior running back Quintrevion Wisner were added to the preseason watch list as potential award winners.
Texas players are no strangers to this list; Ewers and Chiefs receiver Xavier Worthy made the list in 2023. However, it is Manning’s first time on the list.
The sophomore is a third-year player who has appeared in 12 games with two starts and boasts a 2-0 record as a starter. In 2024, Manning completed 61-for-90 passes for 939 yards and nine touchdowns, two interceptions, and four rushing touchdowns.
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Arch Manning is under intense pressure as he enters the 2025 college football season(Image: Getty Images)
Manning was also recently selected to the 2025 Preseason All-SEC Third Team in a media vote. Meanwhile, Wisner received preseason First-Team All-SEC recognition prior to the 2025 campaign after rushing for a league-high 1,064 yards and five touchdowns last season.
Manning is expected to be a first-round pick if he impresses with Texas. He was a five-star recruit heading into college but was made to wait for a starting role. However, it is unclear if he will head to the league in 2026 or beyond.
“I’m really just worried about getting through this interview and then getting through the run tomorrow,” Manning said recently.
“I’m just focused on this year and getting better each day.”
Manning is eligible to play three more years for Texas — meaning he could stay in college football until 2028. But he is expected to enter the league far sooner than that, and could be part of a star-studded 2026 class among the likes of Drew Allar, Garrett Nussmeier, and LaNorris Sellers.
The spotlight will be firmly fixed on the 21-year-old, who is among the favorites to win the Heisman Trophy. Fellow quarterbacks Nussmeier, Allar, and Cade Klubnik are the other three most likely to follow in Travis Hunter’s footsteps.
Texas’ 2025 season officially begins on Aug. 30, when the Longhorns face defending champions Ohio State with Manning set to start under center.