After two years waiting in the wings as a big-time 5-star recruit in Texas, Arch Manning finally has the QB1 spot locked down. His head coach, Steve Sarkisian, even raved, “This guy’s a better athlete than I thought. Definitely got grandpa’s gene.” And the hype isn’t stopping in college; NFL buzz is already building with mock drafts putting his name in the top 10, and his Heisman odds are looking good too. As Arch gets ready to lead the Longhorns on a possible third straight CFP run, his dad recently shared some sweet news—not about Arch, but about his sister, who’s also making her own kind of noise.
On May 20, Cooper Manning proudly announced a major family milestone—Arch Manning’s sister, May Manning, officially graduated from the University of Virginia. “We have a college grad! Proud of my girl @maymanning,” beamed Cooper on his IG. Born in 2002 and raised in New Orleans, May attended the prestigious Academy of the Sacred Heart. At UVA, she dived deep into the world of business, landing high-profile internships and gaining hands-on experience in sports marketing, brand strategy, and investments. While the Manning name is famous on the field, May is making waves in the boardroom.
But what made it even sweeter? She achieved this huge feat on Granddad Archie Manning’s special day, making it a celebration the whole family will never forget.
May 19th wasn’t just another day on the calendar—it was a Manning-sized celebration. Ole Miss Football posted a simple yet meaningful message: “Happy Birthday, Archie .” A heartfelt tribute to the man who put Ole Miss football on the map. Archie Manning, the school’s star quarterback back in the day, was an All-SEC pick for three straight years and later spent 11 gutsy seasons in the NFL. He didn’t stack up huge stats or Super Bowl rings, but he earned something more valuable—respect. The New Orleans Saints, where his pro journey began, joined in too, posting: “Happy Birthday to Saints Legend Archie Manning! .”
More than a football player, Archie was a leader. A symbol of toughness. And these days? He’s embraced the granddad role just as fearlessly. “My grandfather told me, first off, just be a good guy. That’s kind of his thing,” Arch Manning shared. That mix of humility and wisdom trickles down the Manning bloodline, alongside plenty of quarterback genes. Arch is not just riding the coattails of Peyton and Eli. He’s carving out his own identity, and it starts with the man he’s most often compared to—Grandpa Archie.
Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian knows the comparison well. He noted, “It’s not the uncles, he got grandpa’s gene. There’s an infectious leadership that he has, that I don’t want to say is unintentional because he intentionally leads.” That kind of statement says a lot about the way Arch commands the room—not with flash, but with quiet fire. But even with the Manning DNA and a strong debut season at Texas, not everyone’s sold on the idea of Arch bolting for the NFL in 2026.
The hype debate: Analysts weigh in on Arch Manning
On May 6, NFL insider Albert Breer poured cold water on the idea of Arch entering the 2026 NFL Draft during his appearance on The Rich Eisen Show. “I think we would be ignoring the family history if we assumed that he was going to be in the 2026 draft,” Breer said. He pointed out a consistent Manning trait: patience.
“Eli Manning could have been a first-round pick in 2003. He came back for a fifth year at Ole Miss and played in 2003 and was in the ‘04 draft,” Breer noted. “Peyton Manning could have been the number one overall pick in ‘97 to the Jets. Instead, he decides to go back, and he’s the No. 1 overall pick in ‘98 to the Colts.” That’s not just trivia—it’s a family blueprint. Arch, like his uncles, could easily opt for a longer college stint, regardless of the draft buzz.
And you can bet Cooper Manning, Arch’s dad, will be keeping him grounded. Whether it’s steering him clear of distractions or simply making sure his son isn’t swallowed by media hype, Cooper has made it clear: the focus stays on growth, not glory.
But then there’s Todd McShay, who’s already sold on the QB’s upside. “This guy has it all, talent-wise. I’m not saying he’s Lamar Jackson as a runner or that he has Josh Allen’s arm, but Arch is tooled up.” McShay isn’t just throwing fluff either. He’s seen the tape. “His combination of prototypical size, mobility, an excellent release, and his natural accuracy—it’s all there for him to be a great player,” he added.
What impressed McShay most wasn’t just the stats or highlights. It was Arch’s mindset. “I saw a young player who was learning from his failures, progressing quickly, and loosening his grip on needing to be perfect.” That kind of emotional maturity can’t be coached—and it could be Arch’s secret weapon.
In 2024, even while backing up Quinn Ewers, Arch made the most of his chances. He played in 12 games with 2 starts and posted 939 passing yards with 9 touchdowns and just 2 picks. It wasn’t Heisman-worthy yet—but it showed serious promise.
That brings us to Joel Klatt, who just dropped his 2025 QB rankings on The Joel Klatt Show, slotting Arch Manning at No. 2, right behind Clemson’s Cade Klubnik. This immediately ignited a debate. And it’s not just Klatt; Lance Taylor also ranked Arch lower at No. 4 in his SEC QB rankings, placing Garrett Nussmeier, John Mateer, and LaNorris Sellers ahead of him. The common thread here? A lack of extensive playing time as QB1 on film to truly evaluate. But it’s only a matter of time before Arch pieces it all together—and when he does, watch out.
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