Top QBs from Arch Manning’s 2023 class that have done better than the Texas QB2 ft. Nico Iamaleava

Texas QB Arch Manning was the top national prospect among all quarterbacks in the 2023 recruiting class. That said, at Texas, Manning has been playing behind one of the top QBs in the country: Quinn Ewers, who was the No. 1 overall recruit in the 2022 class. Ewers played one game in Ohio State, before transferring to Texas.

While Manning has sat, several lower-ranked QBs from his class have staked their claim to college football stardom. Here are five college quarterbacks who, to date, have been better than Manning.

Five college QBs from the 2023 class who have done better than Arch Manning

LaNorris Sellers is the likely starting QB this fall for South Carolina, while Arch Manning will be a back-up at Texas. (Photo credit: IMAGN)

1. Nico Iamaleava, Tennessee

Iamaleava is the starting quarterback at Tennessee this fall. He passed for 314 yards with a 62.2 completion percentage and scored a pair of touchdowns when he relieved Joe Milton last season. He led UT to a 35-0 Citrus Bowl victory over Iowa in his first career start, and is expected to be one of the SEC's top QBs in 2024.

2. Jackson Arnold, Oklahoma

Arnold was ranked by 247Sports as the No. 4 QB in his class, but unlike Manning, he is the starting quarterback for his team this year. Playing behind Dillon Gabriel last season, Arnold threw for 563 yards and scored four touchdowns. He started the Alamo Bowl, but was defeated by Arizona in that game. With Gabriel's move to Oregon, Arnold becomes the leader of the Sooners' offense.

3. Avery Johnson, Kansas State

When incumbent quarterback Will Howard headed to Ohio State, Johnson got the promotion to K-State's QB1. Johnson is an impressive dual-threat player who passed for 479 yards, scored five touchdowns and rushed for 296 yards. He starred in Kansas State's Pop-Tarts Bowl win over NC State, and could be an All-Big 12 QB this season.

4. Aidan Chiles, Michigan State

It's been kind of an odyssey for Chiles, but the Oregon State transfer appears to be the starter for Michigan State this season. He threw for 309 yards and scored four touchdowns at OSU, with a 68.6 completion percentage.

Yes, State is in rough shape, but Chiles will be getting all the playing time he can handle in 2024. Back in high school, he was ranked No. 152 overall and No. 12 among QBs in the 2023 class by 247Sports. As he entered the transfer portal, they ranked him at No. 8 overall and No. 2 in the quarterback list.

5. LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina

South Carolina has moved on to Sellers, as Spencer Rattler was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

A dual-threat player, Seller passed for 86 yards and two touchdowns in a few snaps last year. He had a perfect completion percentage, completing all four passing attempts.

Carolina might not be at the same level as Texas in the SEC, but Sellers—who was ranked by 247Sports as No. 34 among quarterbacks in his recruiting class—is QB1 while Manning is still stuck behind Ewers.

Which QBs from the class of 2023 can you think of who have or could pass Manning in 2024? Share your thoughts and comments below!