Arch Manning’s first full season as the starting quarterback for the Texas Longhorns fell short of pre-season expectations. After entering the season as a projected Heisman contender and one of college football’s top returning signal callers, Manning had an inconsistent year. The 21-year-old sophomore completed 61.4% of his passes for 2,942 yards with 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 2025.
He also added 244 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns, showcasing his dual-threat ability in his first year as a true starter. Despite Texas finishing 9-3, the Longhorns missed the College Football Playoff for the first time in three seasons, marking a notable regression from their 2024 playoff run.
No. 13 Texas now turns its focus to the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl against the No. 18 Michigan Wolverines on New Year’s Eve. The matchup pits two ranked teams against each other in Orlando’s Camping World Stadium, with both programs eager to cap their seasons on a positive note. Michigan also finished 9–3 after closing the regular season with strong play under freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood, who helped lead the Wolverines into bowl contention.
Amid the bowl week buildup, Manning was spotted enjoying some downtime with Underwood. The 18-year-old, who is valued at $3 million in NIL funding, according to On3Sports, was pictured on a rollercoaster ride alongside Manning at the Orlando theme park ahead of the game…