College football viewers are eagerly awaiting Arch Manning’s 2026 debut. The Texas signal caller is set to assume the QB1 role after spending his first two years as the Longhorns‘ backup.

Heisman predictions have followed Arch Manning throughout the offseason. It’s brought about mixed opinions from fans and media.

Paul Finebaum, for example, has completely bought into the hype. He believes Manning will be the best quarterback the sport’s seen since Tim Tebow. Should his production come close to that of the former Florida Gator passer’s, the trophy will be his to lose.

Tebow is the last Florida signal caller to win the award. Another former Gators star, however, isn’t sold on Arch Manning’s Heisman projections.

Steve Spurrier became the program’s first Heisman winner in 1966. He knows what it takes to win the award, and he’s not quite ready to give the Longhorns‘ first-year starter the crown.

“Most people are picking Texas to win the SEC,” he said earlier this offseason. “They’ve got Arch Manning already winning the Heisman, too. My question is; If he was this good, how come they let Quinn Ewers play all the time last year? He was a 7th-round pick.”

That quip reignited Spurrier’s longstanding beef with the Manning family, which dates back to when Peyton Manning spurned Florida as a recruit. Arch’s uncle has since responded with his expectation of the season to come.

Peyton Manning believes Arch Manning can win the Heisman trophy.

“I’m excited to watch Arch play. He threw the ball really well at the camp. He and Garrett Nussmeier at our three throwing expeditions really threw the ball well – all the quarterbacks throw the ball well. It’s impressive. They make throws that I can’t even think about making. Arch made a throw the other day that I’d have to hit the cutoff man on to get the ball to the actual receiver.

-Peyton Manning

Arch Manning participated alongside a number of college football quarterbacks at the Manning Passing Academy. His uncle was in attendance.

He left impressed by the two Heisman trophy favorites heading into the college football season – Arch Manning and Garrett Nussmeier.

He also believes his nephew has the potential to be even better than he was as an NCAA passer, which is more than Heisman worthy. The talent is there. He’s hopeful the execution will follow.

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