The Texas Longhorns are back—and buzzing. After a CFP run, the torch has been passed. Quinn Ewers is off to the NFL, drafted by the Miami Dolphins. Now, it’s Arch Manning’s time. The five-star prodigy finally gets the keys to the Burnt Orange machine. QB1 is his, and the hype is real in Austin. So, eyes are locked on 2025—with big dreams and even bigger expectations. But is Manning ready to lead the Longhorns to a title run this season?

Well, with Manning at the helm, Texas is shifting gears. Gone are the days of quick-twitch RPOs and rhythm throws. Arch Manning brings a new edge—strong arm, slick feet, and fearless mobility. He’s not just a pocket passer; he’s a playmaker. In limited action, he’s already flashed big-time potential—nearly 70% completions, 9 TDs, just 2 picks. Now, expect more deep shots, rollouts, and off-script magic. So, honestly, the offense isn’t just changing—it’s evolving around him.

However, what makes Arch Manning a Heisman front-runner in 2025? For many in CFB, the answer starts with legacy. He’s football royalty—born into the game. The Number One CFB Show’s RJ Young summed it up perfectly, stating, “Let’s start with what is obvious: Arch Manning’s last name is—yeah—football royalty. His uncles have won Super Bowls; they are SEC legends at Tennessee and Ole Miss. His [grandfather], Archie Manning, goes so far back that you don’t remember him playing. Your daddy probably doesn’t remember him playing. But everybody knows the stories about what he did at Ole Miss, and more importantly, what he is and what he means to the city of New Orleans, where the Mannings were raised.”

Simply put, with a name like Manning and talent to match, Arch isn’t just living up to the hype—he’s rewriting it. However, RJ Young didn’t hold back when talking about Archie Manning and his impact on New Orleans. You can’t mention Archie and the Saints without someone getting emotional. Because he was the bright spot on a team that was, frankly, not living up to the mark years. In New Orleans, he’s untouchable—say something negative, and you might get hit in the mouth.

Just like Archie, Arch is that guy—but there’s more to him than just a famous last name. This is where the overlooked edge gets revealed. He’s not just the next Manning—he’s a product of New Orleans grit and Isidore Newman School’s discipline. “With Arch Manning, you get another guy that was groomed in the city of New Orleans—at Isidore Newman—and didn’t need to play big-time high school football to earn the number one ranking in the 2023 class,” said RJ Young. Now, some chalk it up to his bloodline. But that’s a no-no for Young. He believes Arch earned it. He’s proven it on the field—not just two seasons ago, but last year against UTSA, where he flashed the elite upside that separates hype from reality.

But Arch Manning didn’t just show up—he showed out. In a breakout game against UTSA, he went 9-of-12 for 223 yards and racked up 4 total TDs. However, the stat line? Unreal. A 75-yard bomb. A 65-yard sprint. A 67-yard dash. And another 50-plus-yard strike—all for touchdowns. That made him the first player in 25 years—college or NFL—to pull off that kind of explosive combo in one game. RJ Young put it best, saying, “It feels like a wild statistic. Kind of like ‘home in domes at night on Sunday.'” And that’s not just a flash, that’s Heisman-level stuff.

While Steve Sarkisian’s QB1 is generating Heisman buzz, the Texas Longhorns head coach didn’t miss the chance to praise Arch Manning.

Texas HC’s glowing endorsement of Arch Manning

With legendary uncles like Eli and Peyton, Arch Manning carries the weight of greatness on his shoulders. Fans are eager to see if he’s the next star in the Manning dynasty. Well, he’s not just a name—he’s a 6-foot-4, 215-pound 5-star talent built for the spotlight. Meanwhile, in New Orleans, things just got interesting. Saints QB Derek Carr retired at 34, sparking buzz about a homegrown reunion. Could Archie Manning’s grandson return to the city that worships his family name? It’s a dream scenario—but it might mean the Saints have to tank 2 straight seasons to make it happen.

However, on the flip side, Steve Sarkisian isn’t avoiding the big question in 2025—it’s front and center, wearing No. 16 and ready to lead Texas into one of its most high-pressure openers ever. On the latest Second Thought podcast, Sark tackled the ‘elephant in the room’: Arch Manning. Specifically, how the offense will shift now that the 5-star phenom is officially QB1.

When asked if he’ll tweak the system to suit Arch, Sarkisian didn’t hesitate and said, “Yeah, I think so,” adding, “Any coach that tries to be a good coach, you try to play to the strengths of your players and play to the strengths of your team, right?” So, Texas is going full throttle with Arch at the wheel.

The Longhorns built Quinn Ewers with the same philosophy—they built the playbook around what he did best. Sarkisian called him a “fantastic RPO quarterback” with a quick release and deadly accuracy in the short game. But with Arch Manning, the blueprint is changing—and it could be even more explosive. “What we’ve seen from Arch… he’s a very good deep ball passer,” said Coach Sark. Adding, “He’s probably—you know, he’s got some size and athleticism to him that offer us some different things.”

Simply put, expect more deep bombs, rollouts, and creative movement from the QB1. Now, with Arch Manning’s mobility, the Texas offense is about to get a whole lot more dangerous.