Arch Manning was born to be the starting quarterback at the University of Texas... literally. There are videos of the young QB sporting Longhorn gear, despite his family's other loyalties, when he was just a kid, and now, his time has come to lead the Texas offense.
This offseason, a lot of attention and pressure have loomed over Manning, but the Texas quarterback has only leaned into his decision to play for the Horns. He was recently quoted as saying that there is nowhere else he would want to be and that sitting behind Ewers for two years was worth the wait.
Even more attention has turned Manning's way as the Tennessee Volunteers (the other UT) have stepped into quarterback troubles with their returning starter, Nico Iamaleava.
What is going on with Tennessee and Nico Iamaleava?
What started as contract negotiations between Iamaleava and the Volunteers has quickly turned into what looks like the first-ever holdout in college football.
Iamaleava led the Vols to a College Football Playoff appearance at the end of the 2024-25 season, which was just his first year as Tennessee's starter. Now, the young quarterback wants more money, and from the outside looking in, it doesn't seem like the Volunteers are coughing it up all that quickly.
While Iamaleava's father disputed the original report of the contract disagreement, which On3's Pete Nakos shared, the Tennessee quarterback skipped practice the very next day, Friday, April 11.
How does Nico Iamaleava's contract dispute relate to Arch Manning?
No, Manning is not standing alongside Iamaleave as he goes through the contract negotiations at Tennessee. In fact, the reason Texas's quarterback is trending is because of just how unproblematic he has been over the last two years or so.
Watching this QB drama play out at Tennessee should make Texas fans appreciate Arch Manning all the more. #HookEm
— Bobby Burton (@BobbyBurtonOTF) April 11, 2025
As some of the best athletes in the world jump ship from their original programs in search of bigger NIL deals or more playing time, Manning has seemingly never asked for anything more than he has earned... and received.
Manning appreciated the time he had as an understudy to Ewers and feels it helped prepare him for the moment at hand as he takes over the dominant Texas offense.
Texas has it good with Arch Manning. Not having to deal with any of this. https://t.co/hXW4QgNkml
— CJ Vogel (@CJVogel_OTF) April 11, 2025
Head coach Steve Sarkisian has seemingly done a fantastic job at retaining Manning as his quarterback, and it looks like the QB is ready to stick around, for at least one year, as he takes over the Texas football program.