The buzz around Arch Manning entering this coming 2025 season is incredible already. We're seeing daily takes from everyone from Peyton Manning to Paul Finebaum. Steve Spurrier even had to chip in, saying he doesn't see Manning as a Heisman Trophy favorite.

That reaction led to a whole other fallout across the country. Former Florida State quarterback and NFL first-round pick EJ Manuel came to Manning's defense after Spurrier said this:

"I think most people are picking Texas to win the SEC football," Spurrier said, via Another Dooley Noted Podcast. "They've got Arch Manning already winning the Heisman (Trophy), too. My question is, if he's that good, how come they let Quinn Ewers play all the time last year? He was a seventh-round pick."

Manuel didn't take long to formulate his disappointment in Spurrier. Now an ESPN commentator, Manuel expressed a much more nuanced take.

“Coach Spurrier, what are we talking about here, man?" began Manuel on ESPN's Get Up program. "I don’t think it correlates to say a player that gets drafted ahead of a new, incumbent starter is indicative of that new starter not being that good. I mean, when you look at the quarterback situation at Texas coming into the 2024 season, Quinn Ewers didn’t lose his job, he didn’t play bad enough to say, ‘Hey Arch, you’re going to now be our guy,’ considering in 2023 their lead, winning the Big 12, they make it to the CFP — that was all through the arm and the play of Quinn Ewers."

Manuel continued later on, all but calling out the accomplished coach for being a big old hater despite being a quarterback in his own day.

“I was kind of shocked to hear Coach Spurrier say this, especially somebody who has coached the quarterback position, played quarterback and knows how important patience and opportunity is, as well," said the former FSU star. "I think Arch Manning is going to shut up all the haters. He’s going to have a huge opportunity against Ohio State."

Peyton Manning, Arch's uncle, was much more complimentary.

"Like all quarterbacks, we've got to be able to throw from the pocket first and throw it on time and not take a lot of hits. So that's what we talked about with all of them (at the Manning Passing Academy). Know your system, know your answers. But when it's time to make a play, go out there and make a play with your legs, so I think he understands that."

Spurrier, who is the winningest coach in Florida and South Carolina, toppled Peyton in college three times. Tennessee went 45-5 from 1995-98, with three of those losses against Florida. It cost Peyton Manning two National Championship opportunities and a Heisman Trophy.

We've only seen Manning play in 10 games and two starts, but he's been efficient and impressive. He's completed 66% of his passes for 969 yards, nine touchdowns, and two interceptions. He's added 115 yards and four scores on the ground.

Manuel completed 66.9% of his career attempts for 7,741 yards, 47 touchdowns, and 28 interceptions. He rose to being a first-round pick despite being a physically-limited game manager at Florida State because he was beloved in interviews. 

His NFL career was limited, lasting five years with the Buffalo Bills and Oakland Raiders. He won six of 18 starts.