At this point in the year, I release my final quarterback grades, and today the focus is on Arch Manning and his 2025 campaign for the Texas Longhorns. This is not a “rip-a-guy-apart” piece — every quarterback receives a fair, professional, and thorough evaluation.
Let’s dive into the good, the bad, and the not-so-good:
2025 season stats
Manning finished the season completing 61.4% of his passes for 2,942 yards, adding 24 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. His final QBR of 70.5 ranked 34th nationally. He was sacked 23 times, the result of both offensive line inconsistency and moments where he put himself in harm’s way. His 8.0 yards per attempt was serviceable, though not ideal for an SEC offense that needed more juice vertically and more balance from the run game.
As a runner, Manning recorded 83 carries for 244 yards and 8 touchdowns, averaging 2.9 yards per carry, and even added a touchdown reception — showcasing his athletic ability and versatility.
2025 offensive profile
Conference: SEC
Record: 9–3 (6–2 SEC)
Final Ranking: No. 13
Texas dominated at home (6–0) but went 3–3 on the road, with losses to Ohio State, Florida, and Georgia. These results reaffirm the reality of SEC play: winning away from home is what separates playoff contenders from programs still climbing.
Offensively, Texas never really hit its stride. Manning led the team in rushing touchdowns with eight. Running back Quintrevion Wisner posted 131 carries, 597 yards, and 3 touchdowns, while Ryan Wingo led receivers with 50 catches for 770 yards and 7 touchdowns. Solid production — but not championship-level output. In the SEC, you need more.
Texas is projected to land in the Citrus Bowl, but the offensive performance didn’t match preseason expectations.
Manning’s performance
Manning entered 2025 with enormous expectations: a projected Heisman candidate and the early favorite to be the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Those expectations were not met — but that isn’t an indictment of Manning. It’s a reminder that hype often outweighs proven production, and quarterback evaluation must be rooted in results, not celebrity.
Manning’s best trait this season was his athleticism. His average of 2.9 yards per carry doesn’t tell the full story — many of his runs came in critical moments. More zone-read looks could have helped stress the edges, but execution from both coaches and players was inconsistent. A call sheet only works when the operation is sharp Monday through Friday.
In the passing game, Manning’s biggest issue was hesitation. He held the ball too long, often double-clutching throws he normally rips with confidence. Despite outside narratives, this wasn’t about injury or lack of skill — it was the natural growing pain of being a first-year full-time SEC starter at Texas, where every rep happens under a spotlight.
2026 Improvement areas
Heading into next season, Manning needs to play freely, not mechanically. Run the offense the same way he does in practice, and trust his athleticism. When the pocket heats up, escape and extend — not freeze.
Other key points for improvement:
Pre-snap control: Implement more protection checks and audibles to get out of bad looks.
Mobility: Be more decisive using his legs on early downs.
Awareness: Throw on rhythm, eliminate unnecessary hitches, and trust the read.
Manning doesn’t need a reinvention — he needs refinement.
Overall Grade: C
Manning’s season was inconsistent, and the offense around him lacked the firepower needed to lighten the load. This year felt like a “find what we do well” season for Steve Sarkisian and the Longhorns as they adjust to the realities of SEC football.
The good news? Development isn’t linear, and this was always expected to be Manning’s “growth year.”
Final thoughts
As a quarterback evaluator and offensive mind, this season was disappointing — but not discouraging. I’ve said since before week one that 2025 would be about experience, not accolades, for Manning. He showed flashes of greatness, moments where the upside everyone talks about was on full display.
Next year’s quarterback room will challenge him, and that competition may be exactly what unlocks the next step in his progression.
For now — Hook’Em Horns.