It might surprise some to learn that Arch Manning doesn’t model his game after either of his world-famous uncles. Well, maybe he does. But at the moment, Peyton and Eli are playing second fiddle to a couple of active NFL superstars.
“I’m watching a lot of Josh Allen and Joe Burrow right now. Those are my guys,” Manning said when he was asked who he tries to emulate outside of his family. “They’re dogs. I’m watching some of their college film right now, just good players, elite competitors, fun to watch.”
Allen is sometimes used as a player comp for Manning. The Buffalo Bills’ leader has averaged 4,048 passing yards and 634 rushing yards over the course of his 7-year career. They’re about the same size — Allen is 6-foot-5, 237, while Manning is 6-4, 225 — and Manning showed in brief glimpses last season an awareness of when to use his legs to beat a defense.
“[Allen] is just the ultimate football player,” Manning said. “If something’s not there, he’s going to make something happen and do whatever he can to make his team win.”
Where the throughlines split is in pedigree. Allen was a no-star recruit who went to Wyoming and played in the Mountain West. Manning was the No. 1 overall recruit in his class and signed with Texas. Heading into his third season, Manning is expected to carry Texas back to the College Football Playoff, contend for the Heisman Trophy, and eventually be the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft.
That’s a lot of weight. But Manning is no stranger to the burden of expectations. Such is life when you’re part of the most famous quarterback family in football.
And if he looks anything like Burrow or Allen on the field next fall, Texas will be happy.
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Derek Peterson does a bit of everything, not unlike Taysom Hill. He has covered Oklahoma, Nebraska, the Pac-12, and now delivers CFB-wide content.
