Arch Manning may be one of the most talked-about college quarterbacks, but his rise hasn’t been all smooth sailing. Despite raking in a whopping $3.1 million in NIL deals, questions still hang over the Texas Longhorns QB—is it his skills or the famous Manning name fueling his success? College Football analyst Adam Breneman pointed out how the hype around Manning dates back to his high school days, with fans and sponsors jumping on board early. “His five-star ranking along with his last name made the college decision,” Breneman noted. Yet, Arch’s valuation dipped as expectations collided with reality, sinking from $3.8 million in 2022 to $2.8 million by mid-2023. His rebound to $3.4 million didn’t come without some real hustle, though—he’s shown up on the field, proving that talent does speak when given a chance.
But despite Manning’s big payday, he still faces a tough crowd at Texas. When Quinn Ewers went down with an injury, Coach Steve Sarkisian had no choice but to call on Manning. Arch didn’t disappoint, launching a smooth 19-yard touchdown pass on his very first snap. Yet, as soon as Ewers returned, Sarkisian made it clear where his loyalty lay, saying, “The rhythm of the game is important, and that’s something I don’t want to disrupt. He’s [Manning] learning.” With Ewers leading a stunning victory over Oklahoma, Manning fans are left wondering if their favorite quarterback will get more time in the spotlight or continue to watch from the sidelines.
So, is Arch really a product of hard-earned skills, or is he cashing in on the Manning legacy? Either way, his $3.4 million valuation puts him just behind Shedeur Sanders, Livvy Dunne, and Travis Hunter on the NIL leaderboard, leaving fans to debate whether his trajectory is due to talent or family fame.
