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Arch Manning: I Get 'Undeserved Attention' Due to Last Name, Haven't Done Enough Yet

Zach BacharContributor IJanuary 30, 2025

ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 01: Quarterback Arch Manning #16 of the Texas Longhorns warms up before the Texas Longhorns versus Arizona State Sun Devils College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl on January 01, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Texas quarterback Arch Manning isn't letting the success of his relatives affect his mindset and approach heading into the 2025 season.

In an interview with ESPN's Marty Smith, Manning was asked what comes with his last name that others aren't able to understand.

"I think a lot of underserved attention, but hopefully it gets more deserving in the next few months," Manning said (4:34 mark).

"I don't think I've done enough yet to be taking a lot of pictures at restaurants and signing autographs," he added. "But maybe that'll come eventually."

The Longhorns signal-caller is the nephew of former NFL quarterbacks Eli and Peyton Manning, who combined to make 18 Pro Bowl appearances and win four Super Bowl titles throughout their careers.

He's also the grandson of Archie Manning, who spent 13 years in the NFL and earned two Pro Bowl nods.

When asked to compare his playing style to one member from the rest of his family, the 19-year-old chose his grandfather.

"I think probably my grandfather," Arch explained (5:11 mark). "He could run around a little bit, make plays, use a little more of his athleticism. But I like to take bits and pieces of everyone."

He also revealed advice that he's received from Eli and Peyton.

"Just have fun, be a good guy and be all about the team," Arch said (11:49 mark).

The youngest Manning isn't only surrounded by hype due to the rest of his family, as he was considered the No. 1 overall player in the 2023 recruiting class (via 247Sports' composite rankings).

He played sparingly during his first year with the Longhorns, but he received extended time on the field in 2024 once starter Quinn Ewers suffered an oblique strain during a clash with UTSA on Sept. 14.

Manning seemed comfortable while replacing Ewers against UTSA and also looked sharp in two consecutive starts afterwards, completing 69.4 percent of his throws for 806 yards and eight touchdowns to go along with a pair of interceptions over that span.

With Ewers declaring for the 2025 NFL draft, Manning is set to start for the Longhorns next season as they look to build upon a 13-3 record in 2024.

While he doesn't believe that he's done enough to warrant the attention he's received just yet, Manning is hoping to change that soon.