Although fans and analysts are all in on Manning, an anonymous SEC coach recently told ESPN's Heather Dinich that Manning will have a hard time living up to the hype. "He's going to be a good player," said the SEC coach. "The hype that it's been, it's impossible to reach."

Texas quarterback Arch Manning has not been named to the 2025 Manning Award preseason watch list, which is given to the top collegiate quarterback in the country.

Manning enters the year as FanDuel Sportsbook's preseason Heisman favorite (+750), a status he tried to downplay all summer.