Texas is buzzing, and Arch Manning is the reason why. The freshman phenom is officially QB1 for the No. 1-ranked Longhorns, leading a team loaded with expectations. And off the field, he’s making noise too—inking a massive $6.6 million NIL deal with Red Bull, the highest of any college athlete. Moreover, he carried himself with poise at SEC Media Days, drawing praise from head coach Steve Sarkisian and fans alike. But on the field? Arch is already in the Heisman spotlight. With +600 odds, he enters the season as the early favorite to win the 2025 Heisman Trophy. However, don’t expect an NFL announcement just yet. Why?
Despite the hype, Arch reportedly won’t declare for the 2026 draft, signaling he’s here to build a legacy—not just chase a paycheck. And in a recent interview with Texas Monthly, the Manning patriarch, Archie Manning, confirmed that Arch will still be at Texas in 2026. So, it’s a move straight out of the Manning playbook—get reps, get better, then go pro. Remember, Peyton and Eli did it, and both became No. 1 picks. Now, Arch is following the family formula. And while fans of struggling NFL teams might be bummed, the 2026 QB class is still stacked. So don’t panic; Arch is just playing the long game. But panic strikes Longhorn Nation for another reason.
On August 7, X page Unnecessary Roughness dropped a viral clip that had Texas fans doing a double take. Arch Manning, the face of the Longhorns, took a reaction speed test—and only caught two sticks. Yep, just two. The unexpected result sparked a wave of concern online, with fans asking: Does Arch have a reaction-time problem? The clip quickly made the rounds, raising eyebrows across social media. Although Arch Manning, ever cool, shrugged it off, saying, “Hey, I was not ready for that.” But the internet wasn’t so chill. The reason?
Does Arch Manning have a reaction problem?
— Unnecessary Roughness (@UnnecRoughness) August 7, 2025
Arch Manning is stepping in as Texas’ starting QB this season, and yes, sharp reaction time comes with the job. So when he went viral for catching just 2 out of 10 sticks in a reflex test, the internet lit up. Sports Illustrated called it a “miserable fail,” adding, “A 2 out of 10 is really bad.” Although Arch later rebounded with a solid 7, proving he can adjust. But that early stumble still raised a few eyebrows.
Fans erupted over Arch Manning
Look, game day will tell the real story—not some viral stick test. Arch Manning may have stumbled in a reaction drill, but on the field, he’s already proven he can deliver. Even as Quinn Ewers’ backup, he threw for 939 yards, 9 touchdowns, and added 4 more on the ground. So, that’s no fluke. Still, perfection is the expectation in Texas. So when the stick test clip dropped, fans didn’t hold back. And one fan posted, “Austin… you have a problem.” Another fan chimed in, writing, “It’s over for Texas.” So, the pressure is real. But so is Arch. Saturday is his stage, and he’s ready to take the spotlight. However, the outrage didn’t end there.
The Arch Manning hype train is still rolling strong in Texas—maybe thanks to that legendary last name. But one viral reaction test clip threw a wrench in the excitement. Following that, the fans didn’t hold back. And one frustrated viewer declared, “I’ve seen enough. Bust.” Another kept it short but sharp, stating, “Texas is cooked.” Honestly, Arch is a proven weapon—no doubt about his talent on the gridiron. But as fans point out, a smart QB has to be ready for every situation.
And just when you thought the internet was done, one fan dropped the hammer, writing, “This is what happens when you raise a bubble-wrapped kid…” Short. Sharp. And brutal. So, for some, it wasn’t just about the drill; it was about toughness, grit, and growing pains under the spotlight.
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