Texas boasted a powerhouse QB room in 2024, a blend of talent, competition, and a burning desire to win. Quinn Ewers commanded the spotlight with his performances, while Arch Manning, a highly touted five-star recruit who arrived in 2023, patiently honed his skills behind the scenes. Now, with Ewers heading to the NFL, the torch has been passed, and it’s Manning’s time. ‘Manning the QB1’ has a nice ring, but the pressure is immense. His name alone carries weight, amplified by his status as the nation’s top NIL earner, boasting a $6.5 million valuation. While the hype is real, a reality check awaits Arch Manning.

On the March 17th episode of The Ruffino & Joe Show, Joe DeLeone and Blake Ruffino dissected the latest CFB headlines. Ruffino dropped a bombshell, stating, “I think the legacy of the Manning name will hit here.” He elaborated, “The thing that I worry about with him, okay, he is a first-time starter. I don’t think that. But I don’t know. I do see a scenario where he’s not the top quarterback in the SEC next year.” Well, he might be the nephew of Peyton and Eli Manning, and the grandson of Archie Manning. But the message is clear: the road ahead won’t be smooth. “His first time starting. I don’t give a sh-t if his last name is Manning or what it is; there are going to be humps and bruises,” Ruffino added.

Arch Manning’s era at Texas begins with a high-stakes rematch against Ohio State on August 30th, marking his first season as the undisputed QB1. After Ewers’ departure, Manning faces a significantly lighter schedule, with only two SEC opponents boasting winning records. Despite losing key offensive players, Texas is projected to be a top-five team. While the regular season lacks Top 25 opponents between Ohio State and Georgia, Manning will still face significant pressure moments, proving his ability to lead the Longhorns. Ruffino posed a crucial question, “By the way, he goes to Athens early in the season. That’s going to be a tough situation for him. How does he respond? Does he come out there glowing? Then we have a different conversation; that’s a conversation piece that we have to have.”

Ruffino then offered a surprising take on Quinn Ewers, saying, “I do think that he is the best thing that could happen in Texas football now that Quinn Ewers is gone though, because I felt like there was a team that wanted—there was behind Arch Manning, and they knew that he would ultimately be the better quarterback than Quinn Ewers. So I always felt he had a really good season, though, even when he had to come in.” This bold statement signals a clear shift, with Texas’s future now firmly in Manning’s hands.

Arch Manning’s football legacy is undeniable. At Isidore Newman, he shattered records set by Peyton and Eli, racking up over 8,500 passing yards and 115 touchdowns. He earned MaxPreps National Freshman of the Year honors in 2019. At Texas, he saw action in nine games as a redshirt freshman, throwing for 939 yards and nine touchdowns.

While Ruffino praises Manning’s talent, he also expresses concern. “You’ve seen the flashes of what he could do, even against bad opponents. That’s the part for me with Arch, that when we look at him, he does have the athleticism. He can make all the throws. The question will be, from a young quarterback for this season, how is it for a first-time quarterback, himself included, when he has to make the right decisions?” The talent and arm strength are there, but can Manning deliver under pressure, especially with a potentially weakened supporting cast? That’s the question that will define his first season.

Arch Manning’s about to find out what he’s really made of

Steve Sarkisian’s Longhorns are undergoing a major overhaul for 2025. Arch Manning steps into the QB1 role, flanked by four new offensive linemen, a revamped secondary, and a receiving corps that’s undeniably green. So, while Manning seems primed to fill Quinn Ewers’ shoes, his arsenal is largely untested. Adding to the challenge, the most experienced returning receiver, DeAndre Moore, is sidelined this spring with a lingering toe injury, creating a gaping void in the receiving ranks.

This leaves Ryan Wingo as the sole pass-catcher on Texas’s spring roster with a college reception to his name—a reality check for the Longhorns. With such inexperience surrounding him, Wingo must step up and become a reliable target. And here’s the thing: Wingo recently underwent LASIK surgery after coaches noticed his vision problems. He could be sharper than ever.

Meanwhile, all eyes are on star freshmen Jaime Ffrench and Kaliq Lockett, who must mature rapidly. With a shortage of proven weapons, the pressure is squarely on Arch Manning. Can he elevate the raw talent around him? This season will be a trial by fire, revealing whether Manning can transform potential into production. Will Manning’s arm be enough to carry the Longhorns, or will the inexperience prove too much to overcome? The 2025 season will have all the answers.