You know what they say about opinions: Everybody’s got one. For a family that’s been splashed across newspapers his entire life, Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning appears to keep a healthy point of view in the face of criticisms, deserved or not, from college football fans and the media.
In an interview with Complex Magazine, the Longhorns’ 2025 starter addressed a straightforward question about those who don’t take him seriously or diminish him as a “nepo baby,” a derogatory term for a celebrity, or in this case, athlete, whose career has been aided or created by the success of their family or family’s connections.
“They have the right to say that,” Manning answered. “When people say stuff, like they have freedom of speech, I’ve probably said bad things about other people. It’s kind of the business I’m in. Obviously, I do think that I worked hard for the position I’m in, but people are allowed to say what they want.”
And when asked about scrutiny from the public, the 19-year-old had a clear response.
“I don’t really look at what other people think online,” Manning said. “I just kind of keep on living my life. That’s what I’ve been taught, and that’s what I’m going to try and continue to do.”
Manning is the nephew of Peyton Manning and Eli Manning. Arch, the eldest son of Cooper Manning and grandson to Archie Manning, was the backup quarterback at Texas for the last two seasons.
He is expected to lead Texas football next season after the team’s starter for the last three seasons, Quinn Ewers, declared for the 2025 NFL Draft.
One of the biggest challenges Manning will face in the upcoming season is the heightened competition in the Big 12 Conference. Texas will have to contend with several formidable teams, including defending conference champions Kansas State, as well as perennial powerhouse Oklahoma. With the Longhorns set to join the SEC in 2024, the pressure on Manning to step up and perform will only increase, but it’s a challenge he seems ready to face head-on.
“I’m excited for the opportunity,” Manning said. “The road won’t be easy, but I think we’ve got a great team here. I’m ready to lead us and prove to everyone that I can play at a high level.”
As Arch Manning prepares for what could be a career-defining season in 2025, it’s clear that the pressure is not going away anytime soon. But it’s equally clear that Manning is determined to rise above it, proving not only to his critics but to himself that he’s more than just a product of his family name. He’s Arch Manning, and he’s ready to make his own legacy.
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