Yes, the University of Texas quarterback Arch Manning is the nephew of former NFL stars Peyton and Eli Manning.
“He’s my nephew and I’ve always tried to help him and support him in any way,” Eli said during a September 2024 interview. “I just, kind of talked about, have a plan but don’t predetermine what you’re going to do. Proud of him, how hard he’s worked. He’s into it. He puts in the work, he puts in the grind. He’s a good kid.”
The Longhorns superstar has been a headline-maker since well before he made his collegiate debut in September 2024. Arch, 21, appeared in 10 games last season as the backup to Quinn Ewers.
After Ewers, 22, was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft, Arch officially became the starting quarterback of a team with national championship aspirations.
For the first time in school history, Texas opens the season as the No. 1 ranked team in the Associated Press’ preseason poll.
“I’m just ready to play,” Arch told The Athletic on Monday, August 25. “I don’t look at any of the media. If I see something on Instagram — I have a private Instagram account — I click ‘not interested.’ So, yeah, I’m just ready to play.”
Arch is the son of Cooper Manning — the eldest brother of Eli and Peyton. Along with Arch, he and wife Ellen Heidingsfelder share daughter May Manning and son Heid Manning.
Keep scrolling for everything to know about Arch:
1. He’s Named for a Legend
Arch — whose full name is Archibald — got his name from his grandfather, Archie Manning. The father of Cooper, Peyton and Eli famously played for the NFL for 14 seasons. Most notably he was on the New Orleans Saints from 1971 to 1982.
2. Where His Speed Came From
In postgame interviews, Arch made it clear that his speed came from his mom’s side of the family. Something that his dad, Cooper, has since confirmed. “Definitely got his speed from mom,” the father of three captioned a September 15 Instagram post.
3. He’s In a Video Game
“I’m IN the game,” Arch captioned a July 9 Instagram video that showed him playing EA SPORTS College Football 25 with Uncle Eli. The duo joked about Eli being Arch’s coach in the video game. When they scored a touchdown on screen Eli declared: “Now that’s why you’re in the game.”
4. What He’s Studying
According to his player profile, Arch is studying Communication and Leadership at the University of Texas.
5. He Never Thought About Transferring While Biding His Time
Despite being one of the most buzzed-about names in college football last season, Arch still had to play backup to Ewers for most of the season.
Still, Arch said transferring to another school “never really crossed my mind.”
“Texas was the place I wanted to be,” Arch told The Athletic on August 25. “It was the city I wanted to be in, a great education. I had friends there. I was still developing and growing as a football player and as a person.”
He continued, “I never really wanted to leave. If there was somewhere else I wanted to be, I would have gone.”
