Billy Napier evaluates Arch Manning, defends Texas QB’s rough start to 2025 season
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When Florida and Texas meet in Gainesville on Saturday, Billy Napier and Arch Manning may look at each other from across the field.
In the moment, they’ll each acknowledge how the other has been through a similarly hellish start to their season, and thus be able to relate in that way.
Ahead of that inevitable exchange, Napier was asked about Manning’s performance this year and the criticism he has been receiving from the media and fans alike.
“I think in general, quarterback in particular is the hardest position in all of sports. And you’re dependent on others,” Napier said. “There’s a level of detail and the precision that’s required to play really, really good offense at a high level, especially early in the season when you play against good competition. So you couldn’t have a much more challenging game than Ohio State on the road in the opener for a first-time starter.”
That game saw Manning compete 56.7% of his passes for 170 yards, a touchdown and an interception, with Texas falling in the battle of titans.
But against inferior opponents since then, the Texas offense has resembled a roller coaster ride.
At times against San Jose State and Sam Houston, Manning had the unit humming up and down the field. But for most of the afternoon against UTEP and some brief moments against the Spartans, Manning struggled mightily, and he’s only completing 61.3% of his passes without having played in an SEC game yet.
Napier acknowledges these struggles but, much like what he’s experiencing with his own young signal-caller, he also understands that there is a bigger picture when it comes to their growth.
“I think it’s part of his development and I think it’s important for us on the outside to be realistic about expectations with these young QBs. Rookie quarterbacks in the NFL struggle themselves, much less these guys who are starting their careers in college,” Napier said. “So, these guys are going to continue to improve. They’re very talented. They’re great leaders and teammates, and sometimes struggle can be the best thing that happens to you if you handle it the right way and have the right perspective.”
Parker is currently the sports editor with the Enterprise-Journal in McComb, Mississippi. He's a graduate from Mizzou who has experience covering the Tiger football and basketball beats for SB Nation, and he's worked for a variety of sports news outlets in the past.
