With Quinn Ewers officially entering the NFL Draft, the spotlight at Texas now shines brightly on Arch Manning. The highly anticipated era of the Manning legacy at Texas has commenced, and the young quarterback is poised to take the reins of the Longhorns' offense. Manning is expected to be the starting quarterback for at least the 2025 season, and potentially 2026, should he choose to stay in college.

The son of Cooper, grandson of Archie, and nephew of Eli and Peyton, Manning carries a significant football pedigree. During the past season, he demonstrated his potential, throwing for 939 yards and nine touchdowns, while also adding four rushing touchdowns. Former Texas star Colt McCoy emphasized the importance of this offseason for Manning's development, urging him to focus on refining his skills and identifying areas for improvement. McCoy advised Manning to embrace the opportunity, play to his strengths, and avoid undue pressure.

Manning primarily operated within run-pass option schemes for the Longhorns, providing a dynamic element to the offense. He started against Louisiana-Monroe and Mississippi State in Ewers' absence due to injury. In those games, Manning showcased his abilities, throwing for 258 yards and two touchdowns against Louisiana-Monroe in a decisive victory, and following up with 325 passing yards and two touchdowns against Mississippi State. However, he returned to the backup role upon Ewers' return. The Texas offense faces some rebuilding challenges with the departure of key players like receivers Matthew Golden and Isaiah Bond, as well as tight end Gunnar Helm, to the NFL draft. Running back Jaydon Blue and offensive linemen Kelvin Banks Jr. and Cam Williams have also declared for the draft.