Texas Longhorns’ quarterback room is beginning to feel like a high-stakes stock market. Quinn Ewers, the starter, is steady but unspectacular, like a blue-chip stock teetering on uncertainty. Then there’s his archrival/teammate, the lone of his kind from the great Manning family, Arch Manning, the redshirt freshman and football royalty, whose trajectory has fans and analysts believing he might be the tech start-up that reshapes the game. The fresh NIL valuations have only poured fuel on this fire, igniting debates about the Longhorns’ QB future. But why isn’t he a backup? What did he do?

As On3 brings the stock update. Arch Manning, already a household name, just saw his NIL valuation skyrocket by a jaw-dropping $1.5 million, now sitting at $4.8 million. This surge places him behind only Shedeur Sanders in the college football NIL rankings. This time he is in the top two, and by contrast, Ewers’ valuation took a hit, dropping $187,000. It’s a tangible reflection of the growing buzz around the #16, who seems poised to dethrone Quinn Ewers, whether the latter declares for the NFL or not.

If you want to compare, Quinn Ewers sits 13 in the likeness list with a valuation of $1.6 million. The pivot point for Manning’s meteoric rise came during Texas’ Week 14 matchup against Texas A&M. In a rivalry game filled with intensity, head coach Steve Sarkisian deployed Arch Manning strategically. On a critical 4th-and-2 play, the last Manning bolted 15 yards for a touchdown, electrifying fans in a way Ewers’ 218 yards and lone passing TD that day couldn’t replicate. The moment felt symbolic—a torch being passed in real-time.

Statistically, Manning has backed up the hype. Across sporadic appearances this season, he’s racked up 939 passing yards, nine touchdowns, and just two interceptions. His versatility has also shone through with 95 rushing yards and four touchdowns on the ground. Compare that to Ewers, who has shown flashes of brilliance but struggled with consistency. The contrast between Ewers’ steadiness and Manning’s explosiveness is impossible to ignore.

Then there’s the matter of perception. Manning’s family legacy, paired with his ability to deliver highlight-reel moments, has fans salivating for him to lead the team. Sarkisian’s decision to use Manning in pivotal moments has only added to the intrigue. “He’s ready for the big stage,” Sarkisian said earlier this season. And Manning’s $4.8 million NIL valuation suggests the business world likes his name. Add this viral video’s wild reactions to his growing Manning fever.

Arch Manning isn’t a chill guy; he’s the hype guy

Dude gave the Longhorns fans a glimpse of the fire within during Texas’ Saturday win, electrifying the stadium with a 15-yard touchdown run that kicked off the scoring. Known as the nephew of NFL royalty—Eli and Peyton Manning—many expected Arch to exude a calm and composed vibe akin to his famous uncles. But, oh no, this wasn’t your typical Manning moment.

A now-viral video on social media captured Arch in a completely different light, bursting with fiery emotion as he celebrated the touchdown. Bro was hyped, “Let’s goo! We here! We here!” making a mean-looking face as he shouted to the camera. Well, he kind of looked like Star Wars’ Anakin Skywalker when he chose the dark side. And you won’t be able to unsee it now. Definitely, add the engagement and reactions of that viral video to his name and likeness. With Ewers’ NFL draft decision looming, Manning’s rise might be perfectly timed.