When a player’s last name is “Manning,” the spotlight is not optional but inherited. Texas QB Arch Manning comes with that inheritance. He was born into football royalty, with uncles Peyton and Eli slinging touchdowns in the NFL and grandfather Archie paving the path before them.
The moment Arch picked up a football, the world watched with bated breath, expecting another generational quarterback. In Texas, the spotlight follows him; he has merch flying off shelves and social media analyzing every snap. But is the hype real or just a little too loud? One analyst thinks the football world might need to slow down on the hype.
Greg McElroy Sounds the Alarm: Is the Arch Manning Hype Getting Ahead of Itself?
Analyst and former Alabama QB Greg McElroy’s not here to rain on anyone’s parade. But he is definitely handing out umbrellas.
On his radio show, “McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning,” the former Alabama quarterback hit the brakes on Arch Manning hype.
ARCH MANNING 49-YARD TOUCHDOWN TO DEANDRE MOORE JR. 🔥
STOOD IN THE POCKET AND DELIVERED A DART 🎯 pic.twitter.com/TaTNIteEIs
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 28, 2024
“Yes, I understand we’re all excited about Arch Manning,” he said. “But he hasn’t played yet.” And by “played,” McElroy means really played. Despite being the No. 1 overall recruit in the 2023 class, Manning has mostly been holding the clipboard behind former starter Quinn Ewers.
To add on, Manning’s 2023 season was a blink at best. He completed just two of five passes for 30 yards. Now, to be fair, Manning did get his shot in 2024 when Ewers went down early against UTSA.
Manning stepped in and made 806 yards across three games against UTSA, Louisiana-Monroe, and Mississippi State. That is not bad for a freshman backup. But McElroy isn’t convinced.
“Don’t tell me a game against ULM and Mississippi State, who had the 126th-ranked total defense, are good indicators of future success,” McElroy said bluntly.
Statistically, Manning’s 2024 performance was good. He had 67.8% completion, 939 passing yards, nine TDs, and two picks. But McElroy’s argument isn’t about stats. It is more about substance. Greg McElroy pointed out that fans and analysts alike are too quick to confuse talent with production.
RELATED: Los Angeles Rams Predicted To Take Texas QB Arch Manning in Recent 2026 NFL Mock Draft
As of now, Arch Manning’s résumé is built more on his last name than on what he’s shown under centre.
“There are plenty of five-stars who aren’t good,” McElroy reminded listeners, tossing out names like Brock Vandagriff and Jackson Arnold as cautionary tales. But that does not mean McElroy is throwing Manning under the bus.
McElroy agrees Manning has top-10 potential. But preseason top-10 QB lists are too soon. The real test, however, is not that far away. Manning will likely get his biggest challenge yet on August 30, when Texas travels to Columbus to face the Ohio State Buckeyes.
So, is Arch Manning the next big thing or just another highly hyped name still searching for his breakout? The world will find out soon enough. Until then, the Manning magic might need to wait its turn.
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