Cooper Manning, the eldest son of former NFL quarterback Archie Manning, began to notice something special about his son, Arch Manning, when he was just a young boy in elementary school. Arch displayed remarkable athletic abilities, particularly in throwing and running during flag football games. However, it was his unwavering focus and passion for football that truly set him apart. Even at the tender age of 4 or 5, Arch was captivated by the game, often mesmerized while watching his uncles, Peyton and Eli, play. “He never wanted to go run around in the halls or go eat popcorn and nachos,” Cooper reminisced. “He’d just watch football like he was in a trance.”
Unlike many kids his age, Arch preferred to play catch, shoot hoops, or practice fly balls with his dad instead of indulging in video games. “We threw more footballs in the den over his mother’s head while a football game was going on, and she’d be like, ‘Please don’t do this — oh, here comes a lamp!’ And she was right,” Cooper said, reflecting on their playful yet chaotic household. Now 21, Arch is a former top-ranked recruit from New Orleans, entering his third season at the University of Texas. This year marks his first as a starting quarterback after patiently waiting behind Quinn Ewers, making headlines as Texas aims for a top preseason ranking.
As the oldest son of the Manning family, Cooper was cautious about labeling Arch as an athletic prodigy. “You never wanna be that dad who says his son is really something special,” he explained. This humility stems from the pressure of being the next Manning in a family of football legends. Cooper, who played as a wide receiver at Ole Miss before an injury ended his career, watched his brothers evolve into iconic figures in the sport.
Peyton Manning, a first-ballot Pro Football Hall of Famer, and Eli Manning, a two-time Super Bowl MVP, have both left an indelible mark on football. However, the mentorship Arch received from his uncles was not as direct as many might assume. “As much as they are great influences, they weren’t around a ton,” Cooper shared. “I don’t think Eli ever saw Arch play a high school or college football game.” This limited interaction means that Arch's development has been guided more by his parents than by his famous relatives.
Cooper and Ellen Manning have made concerted efforts to raise their children, May, Arch, and Heid, with a strong moral compass. They set strict rules regarding social media and curfews, believing that structure is essential for their children’s growth. “We never were scared to enforce the rules that we put in place for them because we believed in them,” Ellen said, emphasizing their commitment to providing a distraction-free environment.
Arch's speed on the field is often attributed to his mother, Ellen, a former track star and volleyball champion. This familial athleticism highlights the unique blend of influences that shape Arch's game today. While the Mannings are well aware of the hype surrounding Arch, they have managed to keep him grounded and focused on his development as a player.
As Arch's recruitment intensified while at Isidore Newman School, his parents took a hands-on approach in guiding him through the college selection process. They visited several prestigious programs, including Alabama, Texas, and Georgia, to ensure Arch made an informed decision. Ultimately, he chose to play for Steve Sarkisian at Texas, a program that has generated significant excitement around his potential.
In his freshman season, Arch made brief appearances in 2023 and played in 10 games last season. He completed an impressive 68% of his passes, showcasing his potential as a starting quarterback. The Longhorns reached the College Football Playoff semifinals, marking a significant achievement in Arch's early career.
As Arch steps into the limelight, he grapples with the challenges of being a public figure. With fans and cameras capturing his every move, Arch often finds himself in awkward situations, such as being filmed while walking to class. “He struggles with that right now,” Ellen noted. “Especially when he’s in Austin, he feels like he can’t go out because everybody wants to take a picture.” Despite these challenges, Arch remains gracious to his fans, a trait he learned from his grandfather.
Cooper emphasizes that the greatest growth he has witnessed in Arch since moving to Austin is his newfound independence. “When you don’t have someone nagging you, who you know is gonna bail you out, all of a sudden, you grow up,” Cooper said, highlighting the importance of self-reliance in a young athlete's life.
As Arch embarks on this new chapter as the starting quarterback for the Texas Longhorns, the expectations are high. “That’s what you do as a parent — you do your best, and then hope when you send them off to college, they’ve absorbed some of the things you instilled in them,” Cooper reflected. With the support of his family and a strong work ethic, Arch Manning is poised to make his mark in college football, continuing the legacy of the Manning family while forging his own path.
