Kirk Herbstreit says he would be ‘shocked’ if Arch Manning doesn’t have big 2026 season
By Rolando Rosa
Published:
Texas enters Year 2 of the Arch Manning era soon. During an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit believes this will be a breakthrough season for the Longhorns quarterback.
Manning guided Texas to a 10-3 record, capped off with a victory vs. Michigan in the Citrus Bowl. However, the expectations were placed extremely high on the 6-foot-4, 222-pound Manning in his first season as a starter, so he still heard plenty of criticism.
Herbstreit expects that to be a source of fuel for the junior as he aims to get Texas back to the College Football Playoff.
“I think the kid’s experience last year. The hate that he dealt with. I’d be shocked if he and Texas don’t have a big year,” Herbstreit said.
Manning passed for 3,163 yards with 26 touchdowns while rushing for 399 yards and 10 scores. Herbstreit thinks Manning has another gear to reach now that he’s gotten past the first-year learning curve.
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“Arch Manning dealt with more than I’ve ever seen a college quarterback deal with in just that first year. So you come back Round 2, little bit more weathered…With Sark knowing now what he does well, where he’s still kind of growing. The pieces around him.”
Herbstreit added that Manning’s resiliency is a huge positive in terms of his draft prospects.
“I personally think what he went through a year ago, will not only benefit him this year,” Herbstreit said. “Now he’s kind of experienced all that hate. Even though he didn’t deserve it. Didn’t ask for it. But it’s really going to benefit him in the long run in the NFL.”
Manning and Texas kick off the season with a home game vs. Texas State on Sept. 5 (3:30 p.m. ET/ESPN).
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