Archibald Charles Manning is one of the very few 20-year old millionaires in the country. His net worth is unknown but it figures to be around $6.5 million...all from his NIL deals at the University of Texas. Even though he's made that money on his own, he promised his granddad, Archie Manning he wouldn't touch any of it until he was the starter. Just the way you would figure it.
Manning has been waiting patiently for his chance to be the QB1 at Texas after watching Quinn Ewers lead the Longhorns to the CFB Playoff semi-finals last season.
Ewers is gone now and the job is Mannings'....and he's already the Heisman Trophy favorite as well as a first-team pre-season All-American. That's a lot of pressure on a youngster who's only started two games in his college career. But the name Manning carries with it a mystique that surpasses pressure. The third generation quarterback from football's greatest family is well-prepared to create his own legacy as a football superstar.
Ole Miss and Tennessee fans alike were greatly disappointed a couple of years ago when Arch chose Texas over the Rebels where his grandfather and Uncle Eli played and the Volunteers where Uncle Peyton made his mark. He loves Austin, TX and he loves the Longhorn way of life. He can't go out to dinner without signing autographs or having pictures made with adoring fans. He just shrugs it off and accepts it as part of the deal, a very lucrative one you might say.
Leadership has always been a dynamic trait in the Manning family business. There have been few players with as much leadership as Peyton had as a player. Archie was the same way and so was Eli. Leadership is as important as the God-given abilities that the Mannings all have and Arch is blessed with it too. His coach, Steve Sarkisian recognizes it saying, " The guy's got charisma, you can feel it. He's got something that guys gravitate to. That's always a great thing to have as a quarterback."
Former NFL General Manager and UTC Coach Buddy Nix told me years ago that Peyton Manning, "Made everybody around him better." That's the mark of a great leader and a great quarterback and Arch just falls in line ready for his turn at greatness. He doesn't worry about the downside. The cheers can easily turn into boos when things don't go well. Texas fans can be as fickle as any group anywhere but you have to figure, as a Manning, he's ready for anything. That's just part of the family business.