Johnny Manziel’s Dual Support for Arch Manning
Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel has expressed his hopes for Arch Manning, who is entering his first season as the Texas Longhorns’ full-time quarterback. While wishing him well, Manziel’s loyalty to Texas A&M means he’d prefer to see Manning struggle during Rival Week.
Manziel prioritizes his time with the Aggies over any support for the Longhorns. “Anytime [Texas] plays Texas A&M, I hope he gives us the opportunity to throw five interceptions, which could help us win,” he told Fox News Digital while discussing his new partnership with Sling TV.
The annual match, known as “The Lone Star Showdown,” is scheduled for November 28 this year, marking the latest regular season game between the teams. Leading up to that, Manziel will keep an eye on Manning’s performance while rooting for his Aggies.
With Quinn Ewers moving to the NFL, expectations for Manning as the Longhorns’ starter are exceptionally high. Texas currently sits at the top of the Associated Press’ preseason rankings, with many analysts predicting a potential College Football Playoff run. Manziel, however, is cautious about those predictions but looks forward to seeing how Manning performs.
“Texas is ranked well, and there’s a lot of pressure. But from what he’s shown, he seems capable of handling it,” Manziel said. “I genuinely want him to succeed. He seems like a great kid with a fantastic family, and I hope he achieves great things beyond that one day.” Manziel has connections to the Manning family, having won the “Manning Award” for the best college quarterback in 2012 while at A&M.
Manning comes from a strong lineage of football talent, supported by uncles Peyton and Eli, his father Cooper, and grandfather Arch Manning, the legendary quarterback for the New Orleans Saints. Still, Manziel shares curiosity about how Manning will perform against tough competition, particularly against the defending champion Ohio State Buckeyes in his first game of the 2025 season.
“When you have that kind of hype, every team brings their A-game against you,” he remarked. “Every week will be a challenge he’s ready to face.” Manziel understands the pressures of leading a team in such a competitive environment.
He emphasized that Manning should focus on being a strong leader and managing the game well, despite the inevitable challenges that come with playing at a high level. “Not every drive will be perfect,” he noted. “There will be tight games, and he must rise to the occasion.” Manziel’s advice is simple yet powerful: show up, lead, and give it his all every week.
On a different note, Manziel has teamed up with Sling TV to encourage fans to explore varied ways to watch football this season, promoting several new streaming packages that offer flexibility. His enthusiasm for easily accessing games reflects the changing dynamics of how fans engage with college football today.
