College football analyst Joel Klatt has sparked an intense online debate with his bold choice to rank Texas quarterback Arch Manning as the nation’s second-best signal-caller entering 2025. The pick raised eyebrows, considering Manning has started only a few games and has yet to eclipse 1,000 career passing yards.
Despite limited action, Klatt’s ranking reinforces the unrelenting hype surrounding the 21-year-old, long regarded as a generational talent. Manning, now the clear-cut QB1 for the Longhorns, continues to generate massive expectations—ones that persist regardless of his relatively untested résumé on the field.
Analyst Joel Klatt Names Arch Manning Named No. 2 QB in Nation Ahead of 2025
Appearing on “The Herd with Colin Cowherd,” Fox Sports analyst Joel Klatt made waves by naming Texas quarterback Arch Manning the second-best quarterback in college football heading into 2025. Klatt’s strong endorsement has generated buzz, especially considering Manning’s limited experience as a starter.
Is Arch Manning the 2nd best quarterback in college football right now?@joelklatt thinks so and joined @colincowherd to discuss the Texas QB’s potential. pic.twitter.com/ZfPpEwvo4v
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) May 29, 2025
“Arch Manning is the second-best quarterback in college football,” Klatt said, before doubling down. “The second-best.” He explained that Manning’s ability to attack every part of the field sets him apart.
“He threatens every blade of grass on the field with a really strong arm and he’s accurate and smart with it. And he’s better throwing the ball down the field than even Quinn Ewers was,” Klatt added.
Klatt also pointed to Manning’s athleticism, drawing a notable comparison.
“In those couple of starts that he got, he flashed this ability to run. That looks like Trevor Lawrence,” he said. “I think Arch is a lot of what we saw Trevor Lawrence become at Clemson.”
Meanwhile, others like The Athletic’s Nick Baumgardner see Manning as the top NFL prospect for 2026. Though Manning isn’t guaranteed to declare for the draft next year, his eligibility runs through the 2026 season.
Texas enters its second year in the SEC after reaching the College Football Playoff semifinals last season, falling to Ohio State in a narrow loss.
Manning took over following Ewers’ injury and finished with 939 passing yards, nine touchdowns, two interceptions, and an 87.5 QBR. He impressed against UL-Monroe and Mississippi State, combining for 583 yards and four touchdowns in those outings.
RELATED: CFB Insider Reveals Why Arch Manning Sat Behind Quinn Ewers Despite Growing Hype
With Ewers now in the NFL, Manning is the undisputed QB1. A Week 1 College Football Playodd Semifinal matchup at Ohio State to begin the season could elevate his already immense hype. Expectations are sky-high as Texas eyes its first national championship in 20 years.
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