Arch Manning considered the fourth-best quarterback in college football with surprising names ahead.
Arch Manning, the highly anticipated quarterback for the Texas Longhorns, enters the 2025 college football season with immense expectations. Despite his renowned lineage and standout performances in limited action, recent rankings have placed him fourth among college quarterbacks, with some surprising names ahead of him. This positioning has sparked discussions about the criteria used to evaluate quarterbacks and the factors influencing such rankings.
Manning’s journey to the starting role at Texas has been marked by a blend of anticipation and scrutiny. As a redshirt freshman in 2024, he showcased his potential by throwing for 939 yards, nine touchdowns, and two interceptions, while also adding four rushing touchdowns. His dual-threat capabilities and poise under pressure earned him accolades such as the SEC Co-Freshman of the Week and the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award National Player of the Week. These performances fueled expectations that he would seamlessly transition into the starting role in 2025.
However, the latest quarterback rankings have placed Manning fourth, with names like Drew Allar of Penn State, Sam Leavitt of Arizona State, and Garrett Nussmeier of LSU ahead of him. Allar, for instance, is recognized for his athleticism and the tools necessary to be a top quarterback, with expectations that he will elevate his game further in 2025. Leavitt, despite having only one season as a starter, impressed in 2024 and is considered a dark horse Heisman contender. Nussmeier, known for his strong arm and accuracy, had a standout 2024 season, throwing for over 4,000 yards and 29 touchdowns.
These rankings have raised questions about the evaluation metrics used for quarterbacks. While Manning’s limited experience is often cited as a reason for his placement, his performances in the opportunities he had suggest a readiness to lead. His ability to make throws between zones and his deep ball accuracy indicate a high football IQ and skill set that could translate well in a full-time starting role.
The debate over Manning’s ranking underscores the complexities of assessing quarterbacks. Factors such as potential, past performance, and the supporting cast all play roles in these evaluations. While Manning’s limited starting experience may be a concern for some analysts, others believe that his talent and the opportunity to start in 2025 will allow him to prove his worth and possibly surpass those currently ranked ahead of him.
As the season approaches, all eyes will be on Arch Manning to see if he can meet the lofty expectations and potentially elevate his standing among college football’s elite quarterbacks.
