Arch Manning Names Rival SEC QB He Looks Up To

Arch Manning Names Rival SEC QB He Looks Up To originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

Arch Manning is stepping into the spotlight this fall as the Texas Longhorns' full-time starter, and he’s already drawing inspiration from an unexpected source: a rival SEC quarterback.

While many would assume Manning models his game after his famous uncles, Peyton and Eli, the redshirt sophomore recently pointed to LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier as someone he genuinely admires.

“It’s cool having a guy like Nuss to look up to,” Manning said. “He kind of had the same situation as me, just sitting for a few years, then going to play, and he played well. I’ve watched a lot of his film. He’s a good player, so it’s fun to look up to him.”

It’s a rare bit of SEC camaraderie between two quarterbacks who could very well face off this season. Nussmeier, now entering his fourth year at LSU, waited patiently behind Jayden Daniels before taking over the Tigers’ offense. When he finally got his shot, he delivered, throwing for over 1,800 yards and 14 touchdowns in just six starts last season.

Manning, meanwhile, spent the past two years behind Quinn Ewers, appearing in just a handful of games. But with Ewers off to the NFL, the former No. 1 overall recruit is finally getting his chance to lead the Longhorns, now officially part of the SEC.

The comparison makes sense. Both quarterbacks were highly touted out of high school. Both had to sit and wait. And both are now being asked to carry the weight of massive expectations.

Manning’s praise for Nussmeier also speaks to his maturity. Rather than brushing off the competition, he’s studying it, looking for ways to grow, even if it means learning from a rival.

With Texas and LSU both eyeing SEC title contention, there’s a real chance these two could meet on the field. But for now, Manning’s respect for Nussmeier is a reminder that even in the most competitive conference in college football, there’s still room for mutual admiration.

Related: CFB Analyst Lays Out Clear Expectations for Texas QB Arch Manning

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 26, 2025, where it first appeared.