​This summer, we’ll examine the top 10 offensive and defensive foes Mizzou football is scheduled to face this fall. We aren’t ranking them from 1 to 10; it’s far more scientific than that, or perhaps more linguistic, since we’re simply ordering them alphabetically. We’re halfway through the TTOP exercise for 2026 and we’ve finally reached a former Tiger on the list. Before we dive into that, here are our first five TTOP pairings: Mario Craver and Leroy Harris III; Jaden Baugh and KJ Bolden; Trinidad Chambliss and Peyton Bowen; Cam Coleman and Will Echoles; Kewan Lacy and Kelley Jones.
School: Texas
Hometown: New Orleans, La.
Position: QB
Class: Junior
Height: 6-4
Weight: 226 lbs
No player in college football has faced more scrutiny than Arch Manning. From the moment he signed with Texas, the grandson of Archie Manning and the nephew of Peyton and Eli Manning carried expectations unlike any quarterback in recent memory. By the start of the 2025 season, he may have been the most hyped quarterback in college football history with just two career starts to his name.
Manning arrived at Texas as the nation’s No. 1 overall recruit in the 2023 class after starring at Isidore Newman School in New Orleans. At 6-4 and 225 pounds, he possesses prototypical NFL size, a strong arm, and surprising athleticism that allows him to create outside the pocket.
After spending most of his first two seasons behind Quinn Ewers, Manning finally took over as Texas’ full-time starter in 2025. Despite the unprecedented expectations, he delivered a season worthy of the hype. Manning completed 61 percent of his passes for 3,163 yards, 26 touchdowns, and seven interceptions, while adding 399 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns. His ability to extend plays with his legs added another dimension to an already explosive Texas offense, and he steadily improved as the season progressed.
Although he fell short of the Heisman Trophy that many projected for him before the season, Manning finished the year playing some of his best football. His decision-making became more consistent, his accuracy improved, and he looked increasingly comfortable directing one of the nation’s most talented offenses.
The statistics were impressive, but more importantly, they reinforced the belief that Manning is still only scratching the surface of his potential. If Manning was the face of college football entering 2025, he may become its defining player in 2026. He returns as one of the leading Heisman Trophy favorites while directing an offense loaded with elite talent at virtually every position. Texas continues to recruit at an elite level, giving Manning one of the deepest supporting casts in the country and a legitimate opportunity to compete for both an SEC championship and a national title. That combination of quarterback talent and surrounding playmakers makes the Longhorns exceptional, with the potential to elevate Manning’s profile even further on the national stage.