NFL legend Archie Manning expressed disappointment with the intense hype surrounding his grandson, Texas quarterback Arch Manning. The elder Manning told KXAN-TV that many in the media "crowned Arch before he ever played," calling the pre-college expectations unfair.
Despite a challenging start, Archie Manning praised his grandson's resilience. "I’ve never been more proud of anybody in my life with the way Arch battled through what he had to go through last year," he said, noting Arch's strong performance in the final eight or nine games of the 2025 season.
The younger Manning threw for 3,163 yards and 26 touchdowns in 2025. With the new season approaching, expectations are again high for him to lead the Longhorns to the College Football Playoff and solidify his NFL Draft stock. Texas opens its 2026 season against Texas State on September 5, with a major early test against Ohio State on September 12.