Kirk Herbstreit insists he’d be shocked if Arch Manning isn’t ‘The Guy’ in upcoming QB class
By Ethan Stone
Published:
Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: National media members are beginning to champion Arch Manning as a top quarterback for the upcoming college football season and subsequent 2027 NFL Draft.
Okay, that was a little mean. But the thought behind the joke certainly appeared to contribute to Kirk Herbstreit’s point when he insisted he’d be “shocked, when the dust settles, if (Arch Manning) is not the guy in the class” while speaking with CrainAndCone on Monday. The topic came up as the three discussed expectations for college QBs next season.
Herbstreit argued Manning’s up and down 2025 season was more a result of his last name rather than his promising skillset. And he’s got a point. Comparing Manning to his uncles, two of the better quarterbacks in NFL history, was always going to put a ton of pressure on a teenager competing in one of the toughest conferences in college football. Having a full year of starting experience under his belt could certainly do wonders for his development.
Here’s Herbstreit’s full comment on Manning’s upcoming season.
As it often is in college football, Arch Manning will in many ways decide Texas’ ceiling next season. Can he take the next step and lead Texas back to the College Football Playoff?
Ethan Stone is a Tennessee graduate and loves all things college football and college basketball. Firm believer in fouling while up 3.
