Desmond Howard pushes back on Arch Manning hype ahead of Texas opener: 'I don't think that it's warranted'

Will Arch Manning live up to the hype this season? ESPN’s Desmond Howard doesn’t know how he can, considering how illegitimately high it has already been set for the Longhorns’ quarterback.

Appearing on ‘First Take’ on Friday, Howard said to Stephen A. Smith that he doesn’t think Manning is worthy of the preseason expectations placed upon him. That’s nothing against him, considering how he views him as a prospect. That said, while understanding a lot of it is because of his last name, Howard thinks he’s a good quarterback and a fine player rather than already seeing him as the best in college football like many are expecting.

“Not at all, and the reason I say that is because, unless he was one of the top finalists a year ago, meaning he was on the stage in New York and announced as one of the finalists, then I don’t think he deserves that type of attention coming into the 2025 season,” Howard said. “Maybe mention him for the Davey O’Brien Award, or the Johnny Unitas, but the Heisman is the best football player in all of college football and we have yet to see that.

“You know like I know, in this sport, that name, the Manning name carries a lot of weight and it produces a lot of clicks, so we get it. But, as far as performing on the field, what I’ve seen from him thus far? The kid has a very high ceiling. He’s extremely talented. But, to throw his name in there for the Heisman in late July, early September? I don’t think that it’s warranted at this stage.”

Manning does have his name on several watch lists for preseason awards, like this month with the O’Brien Award, given to the sport’s best quarterback, and the Unitas Award. However, despite having just two career starts over a dozen appearances in two years, Manning is also currently the favorite at (+500) to win The Heisman Trophy, per the latest odds at BetMGM. That, with that last name, is a lot for Arch to live up to, but that’s the bar that has been set for him.

That’s Howard’s opinion of the preseason hype specifically for Manning. However, starting tomorrow, he can start earning the hype in the regular season, beginning with his play in Texas’ top three-ranked opener tomorrow in Columbus.

“Now, tomorrow afternoon, we’re going to see what he’s all about, because we know he played in a couple of games a year ago. But, not in an atmosphere like this and not against a team of the caliber of the Ohio State Buckeyes,” Howard said.