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Arch Manning Given High Expectations in SEC Preseason Rankings
Arch Manning Given High Expectations in SEC Preseason Rankings originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The 2025 college football season is among us, and thus is the start of the long-awaited Arch Manning era for the Texas Longhorns.
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After patiently waiting for almost three years since his commitment, Longhorns faithful finally get to see him as the full-time starting quarterback.
There were glimpses of his electric play last season, throwing for 939 yards and nine touchdowns, as well as 104 rushing yards to go along with four rushing scores, he will finally be their starter.
Heading into a season full of promise, Josh Pate of CBS Sports ranked Manning as the No. 2 quarterback in the SEC, just behind Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway.
Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning takes the field before his team's College Football Playoff game against the Clemson Tigers at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on Dec. 21, Miron-Imagn Images
The two potential high NFL Draft picks take the top two in no surprise, and both are heading into similar roles as 2025 kicks off. For Lagway, he entered the scene after then starting quarterback Graham Mertz tore his ACL.
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Manning's was due to Quinn Ewers sustaining an oblique injury, that was later reported to be torn after the season concluded.
Now, both quarterbacks get to prove everyone right as they look to be the faces of not just the SEC, but of all of college football.
Manning may have a slight edge, mainly due to the roster discrepancy between the two schools. Texas is coming off a College Football Playoff semi-final appearance, as well as securing the No. 1 recruiting class in the country for 2025.
Florida, however, finished with an 8-5 record, including a slaughter against Texas where they defeated the Gators 49-17. They do have the No. 10 recruiting class for 2025, and can build off that and Lagway's added experience.
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The SEC is going to be once again a battle, and while these two quarterbacks may lead the way, there are a number of players eager to jump the ranks and add more competition for Manning and Lagway.
Related: Texas Receives Huge Recruitment Update on 4-Star Safety
Related: Disturbing Details Emerge Regarding Quinn Ewers' Injury at Texas
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 4, 2025, where it first appeared.
