Joey Galloway: Bryce Underwood is better than Arch Manning

Coming into this season, the hype around Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning reached pandemonium levels. Now, through four weeks, he hasn’t quite lived up to those expectations and other quarterbacks, like Bryce Underwood of the Michigan Wolverines, have stolen the shine.

One of those analysts who has been particularly impressed with Bryce Underwood is Joey Galloway. He appeared on Nonstop with Kirk Herbstreit. There, he actually shared that he’s been more impressed with Underwood than Manning to this point in the season.

“Now they have Bryce Underwood, who — let me say this,” Joey Galloway said. “When I watch him play, he is better than Arch Manning right now. We’ve had a thousand conversations… His timing.”

Kirk Herbstreit seemed to agree with Joey Galloway. He pointed to the poise that Bryce Underwood has shown so far. Certainly, the overall skill he’s flashed has been incredibly impressive to Galloway to this point.

“Now, that doesn’t mean, because I know people are going to look at that and say, ‘Well, he only threw for 105 yards.’ I’m looking at talent. I’m looking at skill. More importantly, I’m looking at timing when he throws the ball,” Galloway said. “Which when you talk about a kid’s ability to go from college to the NFL, timing is the biggest issue for all of them. How quickly I have to get the ball out of my hands because my receiver was open and now he’s not. Or he’s going to be open. He’s not going to throw it, trusting he’s going to be there. That’s the difference.”

Bryce Underwood and Arch Manning share some similarities. Both were five-star recruits and the top-ranked prospect overall in their respective recruiting cycles. That’s the Class of 2023 for Manning and the Class of 2025 for Underwood. Both landed at programs with recent College Football Playoff success, hoping to get their teams back to national championship caliber. However, Manning comes from a family of football royalty, while Underwood does not have those same famous relatives.

In 2025, a season where they’ve both been their respective team’s starting quarterback, Arch Manning has completed 61.3 percent of his passes for 888 yards and nine touchdowns to three interceptions. He’s also rushed for 123 yards and five touchdowns. That’s against one Power Four opponent. Meanwhile, Bryce Underwood is completing 56.9 percent of passes for 733 yards and two touchdowns to one interception. He’s also rushing for 169 yards and three touchdowns. That includes two games against Power Four opponents.

“This kid here, when I watch him play, and then you add in the swagger he has. It’s not too big for him.” Galloway said. “It’s like, ‘Hey, we’re in Lincoln, Nebraska. Don’t worry about nothing. We got this.’ It’s helpful to have a run game like that, but he’s been fun to watch. I think he’s been really good.”

Michigan has a bye week before returning home to continue Big Ten play against Wisconsin. Texas, meanwhile, is also on a bye before beginning SEC play against Florida in The Swamp. Both quarterbacks will have opportunities to improve on the seasons they’ve had to this point.