Playing quarterback for the Texas Longhorns has long remained one of the most scrutinized and covered positions in college football, and Arch Manning is the latest to take that role.
In his first year as the starter for Texas, Manning has had an up-and-down first two weeks of the 2025 college football season. However, ahead of the Longhorns’ Week 3 matchup against UTEP, former Florida Gator and Heisman winner sent a message to Manning.
“This is also an opportunity for him to take the next steps and continue to develop and learn the offense,” Tebow said on SEC Nation. “Then get ready for the big ones in the next couple of weeks.”
Manning has thrown for a combined 465 yards, five touchdowns, and two interceptions this year, Texas holding a 1-1 record, with a loss to Ohio State and a win over San Jose State.
Tebow Wants The Best For Manning
Tebow knows what the pressure is like for a young quarterback at the center of a massive college football program. In his message to Manning, Tebow brings the experience of leading a title-hopeful to glory, a fate Texas fans are desperately hoping comes true with their new star passer.
Regardless, Tebow made sure to highlight Manning’s improvement over the first two weeks. After a disappointing outing in Columbus against the defending champions, Manning scored four touchdowns in five minutes against San Jose State, in what was his most prolific game in his three total seasons at Texas. Many expect the Longhorns to roll against UTEP like they did last week against the Spartans.
“I think all of the critics can just calm down for just two seconds after Arch shows up with quite a few tuddies and much improved last week,” Tebow said.
As Tebow has the experience, he was also compared to Manning. Speaking on SEC Nation earlier in the season, Paul Finebaum said the Texas quarterback is the best player at the position since Tebow during his time in Gainesville.
“[Arch Manning] is the best player we have seen from every aspect since Tim Tebow,” Finebaum said.
Manning was a Heisman hopeful to begin the season, but after his play in their opening loss to Ohio State, his odds have dropped significantly. They’ve since bounced back a bit after the Week 2 win.
Differing Reports on The Texas QB’s Injury
In the Longhorns’ Week 2 win over SJSU, a broadcast camera caught Manning grimacing when making a throw. Though he never appeared on an injury report either before or after the game, many speculated the quarterback was dealing with an undisclosed injury.
Speaking with the media, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian made headlines for his direct response to a reporter’s question on a potential Manning injury.
“According to who? Arch said that to you?” Sarkisian said. “I’ve never filmed any of you guys when you’re using the bathroom, so I don’t know what faces you make when you’re doing that.”
In a report done by The Athletic, analysts dissected film of Manning in Week 2 and all his appearances in a Texas uniform. They concluded Manning does tend to grimace on many of his pass attempts, making it difficult to assume what was caught on camera against SJSU can be described as an injury.
“Yes. Our review discovered at least 13 instances over the last year in which Manning grimaced, dating all the way to his appearance in relief of Quinn Ewers against UTSA on Sept. 28, 2024,” Sam Khan Jr. wrote.
Injury or not, Manning and his development remain one of the biggest storylines in college football. After a 1-1 start, he will lead Texas against UTEP in Week 3.
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