"Arch Manning is the guy" - CFB insider swoons over Texas backup QB while picking him as one of the favorites for Heisman 2025

Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning has continued to generate discourse among college football fans despite not playing much ever since starting quarterback Quinn Ewers returned from injury.

The Manning versus Ewers debate sprung up once again after the Longhorns lost 22-19 to the Georgia Bulldogs in the Southeastern Conference championship game.

During Sunday's segment of the "Number One College Football Show," FOX Sports analyst RJ Young was full of praise for Manning and picked him as one of the favorites for the 2025 Heisman Trophy alongside Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith.

"I think with Quinn Ewers going into the NFL, waffling a little bit but Arch Manning is the guy, he's the heir apparent and we got to see that in six games this year," Young said. "Particularly in relief against UTSA where he had five touchdowns, he threw two passes that went 50 yards for TDs, he had a 67-yard rushing touchdown. He can move, he can sling it, he sees it.

"He looked great in UTSA, he looked great against ULM and Mississippi State and I expect that Steve Sarkisian is gonna find creative ways to frankly, move that dude around and have him in the kinds of spaces to take advantage in running and throwing the ball."

Analyst advocate for more Arch Manning game time over Quinn Ewers

In the SEC championship game, the Texas Longhorns' offense struggled against Kirby Smart's Georgia Bulldogs. Quinn Ewers threw 358 yards, two interceptions and one touchdown.

Despite Ewer's struggles, Manning was only involved in two snaps the entire game.

During Thursday's segment of The Action Network's "BBOC" podcast, outspoken former Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel asked Texas coach Steve Sarkisian to use Arch Manning more.

“I think they’re gonna have to continue to find ways to work (Arch Manning) into the offense a little bit,” Manziel said. “I don’t know if they were gonna regret it, but they definitely have a good quarterback on their bench, and they’re definitely being loyal to Quinn Ewers. Coach Sark has come out and said that Ewers is his guy, he’s our starter.

"So at no point throughout would I ever think I would see him have to go to the bench. I thought that was a really weird decision. I don’t think it’s a situation where you have to go to the sideline and look at something or anything like that."

The No. 5 Texas Longhorns will face the No. 12 Clemson Tigers in the first round of the college football playoff.