Archie Manning says grandson Arch was unfairly ‘crowned’ before performing

Arch Manning shook up the high school football scene and, coupled with his famous last name, had heightened expectations upon joining the Texas Longhorns program.

As college football analysts debate what Manning could bring to the Longhorns in his senior year in college, his grandfather laments the hype surrounding the quarterback.

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“I was a little disappointed in a lot of people,” Archie Manning told KXAN-TV of his grandson’s expectations entering college. “All that. They kind of crowned Arch before he played. And I just didn’t think it was fair. Yeah, it was a bit of a rough start, I played against a great team, and anyway.

“But I’ve never been more proud of anyone in my life, the way Arch overcame what he had to go through last year and the way he played, you know, the last eight or nine games of the season.”

Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning rushes for a touchdown against the Michigan Wolverines during the second half at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida on December 31, 2025. (Matt Pendleton/Imagn Images)

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The buzz will only grow a few months before the start of the college football season. Arch Manning is expected to take the Longhorns to the College Football Playoff and stand out from the other potential quarterback prospects in the NFL Draft.

He has 3,163 passing yards and 26 touchdowns in 2025.

Texas quarterback Arch Manning celebrates a touchdown against Texas A&M during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Austin, Texas, Nov. 28, 2025. (Stephen Spillman/AP Photo)

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The Longhorns begin their 2026 journey against Texas State on September 5. While it may be a cakewalk, their real test will come on September 12 against Ohio State at home.