Arch Manning Named Golden Arm Finalist As Texas QB Heats Up

Arch Manning's roller-coaster season at Texas is beginning to look considerably more impressive, and now the Longhorns quarterback has another opportunity to add his name to the program's history books.

Manning was named one of 10 remaining candidates for the prestigious Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award on Friday, recognizing the nation's top upperclassman quarterbacks for their performance, leadership and character.

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And after his latest performance against Missouri, the timing couldn't be better.

The Texas senior completed 28 of 38 passes for 297 yards and three touchdowns in Saturday's 34-20 victory over the Tigers, helping the Longhorns improve to 7-2 while strengthening their College Football Playoff hopes.

It was another impressive step forward for a quarterback whose season hasn't always gone according to plan.

Through nine games, Manning has thrown for 2,024 yards and 18 touchdowns while adding 119 rushing yards.

But it's his recent improvement that's particularly encouraging for Texas fans.

Over his last two games against Mississippi State and Missouri, Manning has completed 44 of 58 passes for 517 yards, six touchdowns and zero interceptions.

That's a completion rate of 75.9 percent.

Those aren't just good numbers. They're the kind of numbers Texas needs from its quarterback if the Longhorns expect to compete for a national championship.

Manning's performance against Missouri also demonstrated his ability to respond under pressure.

With the game tied at 20 entering the fourth quarter, he connected with Raleek Brown for a 23-yard touchdown, helping Texas regain control before Brown added a rushing score.

The victory gave head coach Steve Sarkisian's team its third consecutive win and kept the Longhorns firmly in the national postseason conversation.

But the Golden Arm recognition offers Manning another significant individual opportunity.

Former Texas quarterback Colt McCoy won the award in 2009, while Quinn Ewers reached the Top 10 in 2024.

Manning now has a chance to join McCoy as a Longhorn recipient.

He'll face considerable competition, including Georgia's Gunner Stockton, Notre Dame's CJ Carr, Utah's Devon Dampier and SMU's Kevin Jennings.

The award committee will narrow the field to five finalists before announcing the winner at its December 9 ceremony in Baltimore.

For Manning, however, the immediate priority remains winning football games.

Texas travels to LSU next Saturday for another critical SEC matchup, and the Longhorns can't afford another setback if they want to preserve their playoff position.

The encouraging development is that Manning appears to be finding his rhythm when Texas needs him most.

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After an uneven first half of the season, the quarterback is playing some of his best football.

And if he maintains that momentum through November, the Golden Arm Award might not be the only championship-related honor within his reach.