Arch Manning: The Rising Star of Texas Football

Arch Manning, the University of Texas quarterback, carries a legacy that extends beyond the football field—he is the nephew of NFL icons Peyton and Eli Manning.

“He’s my nephew, and I’ve always tried to help him and support him in any way,” Eli Manning shared in a September 2024 interview. “I just talked about having a plan but not predetermining what you’re going to do. I’m proud of him; he works hard. He’s into it. He puts in the work, he puts in the grind. He’s a good kid.”

Before even stepping onto the field as a starter, Arch had already made headlines. At just 21 years old, he played in 10 games last season as Quinn Ewers’ backup. Following Ewers’ selection by the Miami Dolphins in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft, Arch stepped into the spotlight as Texas's starting quarterback, leading a team with aspirations for a national championship.

For the first time in its history, Texas opened the season ranked No. 1 in the Associated Press preseason poll. “I’m just ready to play,” Arch stated to The Athletic on August 25. “I don’t look at any of the media. If I see something on Instagram—I have a private account—I click ‘not interested.’ So, yeah, I’m just ready to play.”

Arch is the son of Cooper Manning, the eldest brother of Eli and Peyton. He shares his life with his wife, Ellen Heidingsfelder, and their children: daughter May and son Heid.

Archibald Manning, known as Arch, was named after his grandfather, Archie Manning, who had a notable 14-season career in the NFL, primarily with the New Orleans Saints from 1971 to 1982.

In postgame interviews, Arch humorously attributed his speed to his mother’s side of the family—a claim confirmed by Cooper. “Definitely got his speed from mom,” Cooper captioned an Instagram post on September 15.

On July 9, Arch shared a playful moment on Instagram where he played EA SPORTS College Football 25 with Uncle Eli. The two joked about Eli coaching Arch in the game, and when they scored a touchdown, Eli exclaimed: “Now that’s why you’re in the game.”

Currently, Arch is pursuing a degree in Communication and Leadership at the University of Texas. Despite being one of college football's most talked-about players last season, he accepted his role as a backup to Ewers without hesitation.

“Transferring never really crossed my mind,” Arch explained to The Athletic on August 25. “Texas was the place I wanted to be; it was the city I wanted to be in, a great education. I had friends there. I was still developing and growing as a football player and as a person.”

He added, “I never really wanted to leave. If there was somewhere else I wanted to be, I would have gone.”