As the Texas Longhorns prepare to face the Tennessee Volunteers in the highly anticipated SEC game, the media has crowned the Longhorns’ star quarterback, Arch Manning, and his grandfather, Archie Manning, was not pleased with the media hype.

While talking to Noah Gross of KXAN, Ole Miss’ legendary QB Archie Manning expressed his disappointment with the media treating him as an established player before he even earned a name for himself.

“I was kind of disappointed in a lot of people. The whole thing,” Archie Manning said. “They kind of crowned Arch before he ever played. I just didn’t think that was fair.”

The legendary QB, Archie, who started the famous football dynasty, wanted his grandson to make a name for himself.

But before he even did anything on the gridiron to continue the legacy of the family, the media hyped his name.

Mentioning him as the “future Heisman winner,” Archie was not pleased with such titles.

“Yeah, it was a little tough start. He played a great team. But I’ve never been more proud of anybody in my life,” Archie said. “The way Arch battled through what he had to go through last year, and the way he played the last eight or nine games of the season.”

Archie recalled that the 2025 NCAA season was a little heavy on Arch, although he maintained his production in 13 games, throwing for 3,163 yards and scoring 26 TDs, but he did struggle on the field initially.

As the season approaches, Manning isn't just generating buzz with his play but also with his physical transformation.

Arch Manning looks physically ready for season

Due to his foot surgery back in January 2026, Arch Manning did not fully participate in spring football for the Texas Longhorns. 

“I wanted to like to see what it felt like, but I was a little too big,” Arch said. “It didn't feel great. It's hard; you can't run.”

Ahead of the SEC match with the Tennessee Volunteers, Arch has shed a few pounds, from 235 pounds to 226 pounds.

Since then, he has been in regular touch with his fellow counselors, and he is involved with the young quarterbacks at the camp and participating in the skills competition.

With his recovery behind him and his conditioning improving, Manning appears ready to take on the heightened expectations entering the 2026 season.

Read more at Quarter Back Central!

Written by

Kunwar Yashaswee Chhaunker