The Texas Longhorns are heading into the 2025 season as the favorites to win the SEC, and a major reason for that optimism is quarterback Arch Manning. With Manning finally stepping into the role of full-time starter, many fans are already placing Texas ahead of teams like Georgia. But is that justified?
Former Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray isn’t convinced.
“If you’re really that talented… then why weren’t you starting over a quarterback who ended up being a seventh-round pick?” he questioned.
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Aaron Murray Pushes Back on Arch Manning Hype Ahead of 2025 Season
Former Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray is calling out what he sees as excessive preseason hype surrounding Texas quarterback Arch Manning. While the Longhorns enter the 2025 season as favorites to win the SEC, much of that confidence is tied to Manning finally taking over as the full-time starter.
Murray, however, isn’t sold. Pointing to the fact that Manning sat behind Quinn Ewers last season — a quarterback who was taken in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft — Murray questions whether Manning has truly earned the level of praise he’s receiving.
“If you’re really that good… why couldn’t you beat out a seventh-round pick?” Murray asked.
While his criticism is blunt, it doesn’t tell the whole story. Manning was the nation’s No. 1 quarterback recruit out of high school and performed well in limited action when Ewers was sidelined. There’s legitimate excitement around his potential.
Still, labeling him as one of the top QBs in the SEC or the nation before he’s proven himself over a full season might be premature. Quarterbacks like Georgia’s Gunner Stockton could end up performing just as well — or better — making the outcome far from certain.
Regardless of how Manning plays, Texas is expected to be a serious contender. But whether they win the SEC or fall short to teams like Georgia may come down to whether Manning lives up to the hype.
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