ESPN analyst identifies college football’s ‘most important’ player for 2025 season
By Rolando Rosa
Published:
The college football season is nearly upon us and all eyes will be on what promises to be another extremely competitive gauntlet in the SEC. The SEC features 4 of the top 10 teams in the preseason coaches’ poll, including No. 1 Texas, No. 4 Georgia, No. 8 Alabama, and No. 9 LSU.
The Longhorns have their sights on their first national title since 2005. Texas has a terrific shot at ending the two-decade drought in large part because of sophomore quarterback Arch Manning. ESPN analyst Bill Connelly ranked the 40 most important college football players for 2025 and Manning topped the list.
The sophomore Manning played sparingly so far in his college career with Quinn Ewers getting starter’s reps. However, now that Manning is QB1, the hype train has arrived for the early Heisman Trophy candidate.
Manning arrived on campus as the nation’s top prospect two years ago. Connelly believes if Manning fulfills his potential, Texas will finally climb back to the top of the college football mountain:
If he is, then Texas could remain atop the rankings all season and, after two straight College Football Playoff semifinal defeats, make it a couple of wins further. But if he’s merely very good, the Longhorns’ rebuilt offensive and defensive lines and unproven receiving corps could become major obstacles. No pressure, dude.
Manning passed for 939 yards along with 9 touchdowns and 2 interceptions last season.
Manning will get his first major test when Texas takes on host No. 2 Ohio State on Aug. 30 (12 p.m. ET/FOX). It’ll be a rematch of last season’s College Football Playoff semifinal, which Ohio State won 28-14 en route to a national title.
