“Target locked, wings secured!” It’s official—Arch Manning’s off-season just got a whole lot more electrifying. This guy’s literally got wings now, thanks to a huge NIL deal with Red Bull. Although the Longhorns were hammered by the Buckeyes in the Cotton Bowl, it did not affect Manning’s brands as the 19-year-old ended up snagging a massive deal with Red Bull. Manning’s Red Bull deal really boosted his bank account, pushing his overall NIL valuation to a whopping $6.6 million. But this celebration did not last long as Manning was about to face a wake-up call.

Well, it’s a classic case of a dramatic shift from success to failure in a short period of time. After this Red Bull deal, Manning has become the highest-paid player in college football, even ahead of big names like Carson Beck and Jeremiah Smith. But his skyrocketing value took a $142k tumble, leaving him at $6.5 million. Even though he’s still ranked number one, that’s a tough pill to swallow.

Moreover, the biggest irony is that just the day before, Manning was basking in the limelight, expressing gratitude for the attention and opportunities that came his way. In a comprehensive interview with ESPN’s Marty Smith, he even questioned whether he deserved such a spotlight—“I haven’t done anything. I’ve started two football games. There’s a lot more guys who’ve done a lot more than me.” That kind of maturity at 19? You just don’t see it every day.

It’s evident that Arch Manning’s freshman season wasn’t a breakout performance, but he showcased his potential. He had valuable playing time when Quinn Ewers got injured and even excelled as an alternative option. Manning led Texas to victories against Louisiana-Monroe and Mississippi State, throwing for 583 yards, four touchdowns, and two interceptions as a starting player.

Plus, his overall statistics were impressive, with 939 yards, nine touchdowns, and only two interceptions throughout the entire season. If he isn’t worth the hype he is getting, then wait for what’s coming next.

Arch Manning drawing big comparisons

The anticipation surrounding Arch Manning’s debut season as Texas QB1 in 2025 is incredibly high. ESPN’s Marty Smith is not hesitant to express his opinion, as he directly compared Manning to Florida legend Tim Tebow.

During an appearance on The Paul Finebaum Show, Smith confidently predicted that Manning would generate the same level of influence and excitement that Tebow did during his time with the Gators. “Just know this, brother: it’s going to be Tim Tebow-level hysteria this fall when we go to Austin, Texas when he (Arch Manning) is behind center for the full-time for the first time. It’s going to be like it was with Tebow at Florida. Everywhere they go, they’re going to be rockstars,” he said. Tim Tebow’s Florida legacy is legendary: Heisman winner, two national championships, and a three-time team MVP. And Marty Smith is not wrong when he said that Arch Manning is also creating the same hype.

Moreover, Arch Manning is already setting the stage for an extravagant spectacle as Texas QB1. Even before stepping onto the field, people have already named him a front-runner for the 2025 Heisman Trophy. Bleacher Report has already identified him as the best college football athlete for the next 25 years, and many consider Texas to be the early favorites for the 2025 preseason No. 1 team and national title, all thanks to Manning.

Now, there are some serious projections of Manning being the top overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Some experts even believe that if Manning were to declare for the draft this year, he would still be the first pick. It’s important to note that all of this is happening before Manning has even taken a snap as the team’s official QB1. So, NIL or no NIL doesn’t matter because this guy is making his way through the road bumps.