ESPN analyst says 'pump the brakes' on Texas' Arch Manning being the best QB

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Arch Manning felt the weight of the world on his shoulders prior to the 2025 college football season. Whether it was Texas' top-tier match-up with Ohio State to open the season or the early Heisman hype, the Longhorns quarterback made many headlines.

Manning redeemed himself by the end of the season, but Texas still fell short of their College Football Playoff dreams. So where does this put him ahead of the 2026 season? Despite another round of hype hitting Manning like waves in the ocean, ESPN’s Jordan Rodgers doesn't have him as the nation’s best passer.

"I was the one, maybe the only one last year preseason, saying, "let's pump the brakes" a little bit. We haven't seen this guy play yet," Rodgers said about Manning.

Rodgers has Ole Miss' Trinidad Chambliss as the best returning quarterback. The former Division II star at Ferris State led the Rebels to a deep playoff run last season. This came in the midst of coach Lane Kiffin exiting for LSU, with Pete Golding taking over in Oxford. Manning and Texas could have been one of the final teams into the postseason bracket. However, early questionable losses kept them on the outside looking in.

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"There are still some mechanical issues that I think he has to improve upon, Rodgers added. (Manning) got so much better at the end of the year. He was more consistent with his feet. But when his feet are elongated or not in the right place, velocity dips. The spiral is a little wobbly. He misses at times. I expect Arch to take another big step."

While Rodgers doesn't have Manning as his top quarterback going into the season, he does see him ending up as one of the best.

"I expect him to be in New York at the Heisman Trophy ceremony, Rodgers said. "He's going to be really good, but I still think some of those mechanical issues I want to see cleaned up to project him to be a top 10 or a first round draft pick next year."

Texas opens the upcoming season against Texas State on Saturday, Sept. 5. Ohio State travels to Austin for a primetime affair the following week. Manning will face Julian Sayin in a game that will be closely watched by a majority of the nation. 

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