A throwback video of Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning dunking a basketball at just six years old has absolutely exploded across social media, and fans everywhere are saying the exact same thing: ” This kid was born different!”
Arch Manning’s Childhood Dunk Video Resurfaces and Sends Social Media Into a Frenzy
The video, shared by Arch’s dad, Cooper Manning, on Instagram, shows little Arch being asked to “Show us your hooping skills and dunk.” And boy, did he deliver.
View this post on Instagram
Without missing a beat, tiny Manning throws down a thunderous dunk that would make kids twice his age jealous. ESPN and SLAM High School quickly picked up the clip, sending it viral across Instagram and TikTok faster than you can say “football dynasty.”
What’s got everyone talking isn’t just the athletic feat itself—though dunking at six is pretty ridiculous. It’s evident how mature and confident young Manning appears in the video. Seriously, the kid sounds like he’s hitting puberty before finishing kindergarten!
The comments section is absolutely gold, with fans doing double-takes at both Arch’s skills and his surprisingly deep voice.
One stunned commenter wrote, “Bro had a deeper voice at 6 than me at 13 🤯,” while another joked, “I thought for a minute he was going to launch from the chair and was VERY anxious 🤣🤣.”
Others couldn’t get over his mature demeanor. “He’s SIX in this video? Sounds like a 10-year-old 😂.”
Many simply acknowledged the obvious: “Pretty impressive feat of athleticism for a 6-year-old.”
The video conjures memories of Manning’s high school recruitment, when college coaches would often come to see him play basketball, even though he was being recruited to play quarterback.
View this post on Instagram
The timing of this viral moment couldn’t be better for Manning. Now 20 years old and the starting quarterback for the Texas Longhorns, he’s stepping into the spotlight after waiting his turn behind Quinn Ewers for two seasons. And with a reported NIL valuation of $6.6 million—one of the highest among college athletes—the pressure is definitely on.
From Childhood Dunks to Manning Family Legacy: The Making of a Star Quarterback
When your grandfather is Archie Manning, and your uncles are Peyton and Eli Manning, expectations are sky-high from the moment you’re born. This viral video just adds another chapter to the story of Arch’s prodigious talent, showing that his athletic gifts extend well beyond the football field.
TANKING FOR ARCH: Will QB Arch Manning’s Draft Stock Be Tied to Texas’s Championship Run?
What makes this video extra special is the glimpse it provides into the Manning family dynamic. Cooper’s playful encouragement shows the nurturing environment that helped shape Manning into the athlete he is today.
It’s also worth noting that Cooper has reportedly advised his son to prioritize happiness and fit over financial incentives when making college decisions—a grounded perspective despite their high-profile status.
Despite limited playing time in his first two seasons at Texas, the buzz around Manning’s name and talent remains deafening.
With each viral moment like this, Manning’s legend grows. Whether he throws touchdowns for the Longhorns or dunks basketballs as a kindergartner, one thing is clear: athletic excellence is just part of being a Manning.
Now, the college football world waits to see if Manning can translate those childhood dunks into a championship victory for Texas.
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
