If you have any relation to a football legend, let alone three of them, you're automatically assumed to be a generational star, too. That's the exact case for Texas Longhorns' Arch Manning, nephew of Eli and Peyton and grandson of Archie Manning.
The No. 1 overall player from the 2023 recruiting class, Texas QB Arch Manning in his first fall camp. #HookEm pic.twitter.com/PMfXxenAj5
— CJ Vogel (@CJVogel_TFB) August 3, 2023
manning Making moves
The 18-year-old has yet to throw a pigskin in a true college football game. Yet he is already holding +7500 odds to win the Heisman Trophy as a freshman and helping the Longhorns sit at noble +1700 odds to win the National Championship.
He's front and centre in the spotlight, already signing an NIL deal with Panini American, a trading card company. The rookie signed his first card that sold at auction for over $100,000. His names, image and likeness valuation is estimated around $3.7-million, making him the fourth athlete to be evaluated over three-million alongside Livvy Dunne, Mikey Williams and Bronny James, LeBron James' son.
Arch Manning’s NIL valuation for next season is reportedly sitting at $3.7M according to On3.
— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) March 29, 2023
That is $1.1M more than last year’s Heisman and potential future first overall pick, Caleb Williams is valued at.
That is also currently more than the average annual value of NFL QB’s… pic.twitter.com/MxzbSrA8sw
how to bet on texas longhorns in 2023
As a word of caution, be wary of the hype. Manning will still have to wait his turn ahead of Texas starting quarterback, Quinn Ewers. Last season, Steve Sarkisian's squad finished with a lacklustre 8-5 overall record. In fact, the Longhorns haven't tasted double-digit wins since 2018 (10-4).
Texas coach Steve Sarkisian in town tonight. Why he went with Quinn Ewers as his starting qb? All about experience in his system. pic.twitter.com/uagYRKTaA7
— Don Harris (@DonHarris4) May 10, 2023
Put it this way, it's hard to expect a recent high school graduate to make an immediate impact. But... it's also hard to bet against a Manning. I believe the recent Isidore Newman high school graduate will have natural skill, but I would stray from betting on him clinching a national title next season.
Can he potentially be the first true freshman to win a Heisman? Crazier things have happened. But, he won''t be getting all the playing time and will be forced to share the field with Ewers, which could interfere with his potential numbers and showcase.
If there's a realistic bet to make that Manning would positively impact, it would be betting on Texas' win total, which is currently set at 9.5 wins. Truthfully, if Ewers didn't get injured in Week 2 last season and be forced to miss three full games, I think the Longhorns could've hit that number in 2022. With a healthy Ewers and a stable backup in Manning? 10 wins should be a reasonable feat.
Oddsmakers already have Texas locked in as clear favorites to win the Big 12 championship (-105), it would be its first conference title win since 2009. It would also be the Longhorns last chance to do it before using the realignment to move to the SEC.
The Texas Longhorns are trying to leave the Big 12 with a BANG. 🏆 https://t.co/Iar4xnJBdr pic.twitter.com/7eKGzquXme
— theScore (@theScore) July 13, 2023
Manning to texas, texas to sec, perfect timing
Moving to the Southeastern Conference in 2024 won't be a simple adjustment. Texas will be competing against some of college football's finest like the Georgia Bulldogs, Alabama Crimson Tide, Tennessee Volunteers, LSU Tigers and Florida Gators. Without even mentioning the rest, we already know that conference is stacked to the brim. An SEC program has appeared in each season of the CFP era, the conference holds a 6-1 semi-final record and a 3-3 record in the national championship.
Texas Longhorns Board of Regents after destroying the Pac 12, relegating the Big 12 to G5, and changing the entire football world by joining the SEC like: pic.twitter.com/1YRPcqAP7J
— Texas Platinum (@TexPlatinum) August 4, 2023
It'll be good exposure for Texas and even better exposure for Manning, who will look to show he can compete with the best in his collegiate career.
As if you weren't already, but i'll reiterate anyways, keep close tabs on Manning. We'll get a better glimpse into the future after the first few weeks. Regardless, the Longhorns will be improving.