Arch Manning not automatically gifted top spot among Heisman candidates ahead of first full season starting for Texas Longhorns
Should Arch Manning be the favorite to win the Heisman?
There's a lot to be excited about when it comes to the Texas Longhorns football program heading into the 2025 season. They are coming off a College Football Playoff appearance where they advanced to the semifinals before ultimately being eliminated by Ohio State, who went on to be crowned National Champions. And now Texas wants to build on that success with their young phenom QB Arch Manning, who is set to be the day-one starter for the Longhorns in a move that has been three years in the making.
Here at A to Z Sports, a group of our writers participated in a Heisman Trophy Fantasy draft. The draft went five rounds, and each pick writer selected who they felt was the most likely available player to win the 2025 Heisman. And the draft began with a bang as Arch Manning wasn't the number one overall pick.
Clemson QB Cade Klubnik selected over Arch Manning
"1.01 – Cade Klubnik, QB Clemson
Some will be shocked Cade Klubnik is the first off the board here over Arch Manning (QB, Texas). I think Klubnik's experience as a starter and the fact he plays in the ACC as opposed to the SEC should give him a bit of a leg up over Manning. We started to see Klubnik hit his stride last season. If he can build off that and put up the best year of his career he will be on the stage come Heisman presentation night."
"1.02 – Arch Manning, QB TexasThere are some very high expectations for Arch Manning in his first year as a starter, and for good reason. The physical tools are awesome and he is in a very quarterback friendly system under head coach Steve Sarkisian. Manning should flourish in 2025, and he has the name recognition for voters to get drawn even more."
The public seems to believe Manning is the clear favorite to win the 2025 Heisman, and Vegas agrees with them. DraftKings Sportsbook has Manning as the favorite to win the award with +700 odds, with LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier second at +900. The person drafted ahead of Manning in this exercise, though, was Clemson's Cade Klubnik, who currently has the third-best odds to win the Heisman at +1000.
Manning appeared in 10 games last season and put up 939 yards, nine touchdowns, and two interceptions. And the Longhorns are hoping and expecting that his first two years as a fill-in starter and redshirt freshman will lead to a massive year during his first season as a full-time starter. Klubnik, on the other hand, is entering his third season as a full-time starter and is coming off a career season by throwing for 3,639 yards, 35 touchdowns, and only six interceptions.
If Manning can outperform Klubnik, that would be a major win for Texas this season. Especially with Manning set to face much stiffer competition in the SEC than Klubnik will in the ACC. Even though Manning is the odds on favorite to win the Heisman, I don't think seeing him go second in this draft should be viewed as disrespectful to the young QB. In all honesty, it would probably bode well for Manning if these insanely high expectations were a bit lower before the 2025 season kicks off. Some would truly be disappointed if Manning isn't a top Heisman candidate at the end of this season. And that's an unfair expectation to be placed on his shoulders during what is going to be his first season as a full-time starter.
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