Entering the 2025 college football season, there was a lot of hype around Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning. Many people believed that he was going to be a potential Heisman Trophy favorite and the potential number one pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Well, he has not looked good in the first three games of the 2025 college football season. Manning has completed 55.3% of his passes for 579 yards, six touchdowns, and three interceptions. He hasn't looked anything like a first-round pick or a Heisman Trophy candidate for that matter. Manning has to play a lot better if the Longhorns want to make the playoffs. Texas will next play against the Sam Houston Bearkats on Saturday.
Former Heisman Trophy Winner Reaches Out to Texas Longhorns QB Arch Manning
Former Heisman Trophy winner Charlie Ward won the award in 1993 for the Florida State Seminoles. He had his struggles during the 1992 season with Florida State. Ward knows a thing or two about struggling as a starting quarterback in college football.
The former Heisman Trophy winner said on CBS Sports HQ,
"When you've gone through different experiences and you see someone see going through it, you just want to offer some support. There are a lot of people out there telling him about his play, like he doesn't recognize (that), I was just offering his some words of encouragement and hope that he can overcome what he's going through."
Ward was benched and booed during the 1992 season before he turned it around in 1993. Ward also said about Manning,
"My first few games as a quarterback, they weren't stellar. I just struggled. Throwing interceptions. Making bad decisions. But, you know, one thing I saw with him getting booed, I immediately when back when I was struggling. And I actually got booed at home. That's one of the reasons I reached out to him."
It is good that Ward was able to reach out to Manning about his struggles. The major difference is that when Ward struggled, it wasn't scrutinized by the media like Manning is. If the Longhorns offense continues to struggle because of Manning, then they are in potential danger of missing the playoffs this season.
After the Sam Houston game, Texas will have a bye week before SEC Conference play. The Longhorns are 2-1 this season and Manning will be in the SEC spotlights come October 4 against the Florida Gators on the road.
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