ARTICLE AD BOX
Arch Manning is the hot name in college football this year. At 21, the Texas Longhorns' new starting quarterback brings with him not only immense talent but also the weight of a legendary Manning family legacy.Arch Manning, the cub of the Manning family, the nephew of Peyton and Eli, embarked on his first season as the Longhorns’ starter Saturday at No. 3 Ohio State in a mammoth Week 1 matchup after sitting behind Quinn Ewers for his first two college seasons.It’s expected, hailing from such a prestigious lineage, Arch would be under the scanner way more than his peers. But beyond the hype, what does he actually earn?Thanks to the NCAA’s Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rules, Arch Manning now stands as the highest-paid college athlete, with endorsements alone valued at around $6.8 million at just 21!
Who is Arch Manning?
Born in 2004 in New Orleans, Louisiana, Archibald Charles “Arch” Manning is the eldest son of Cooper Manning and Ellen Heidingsfelder.
As of now, he plays quarterback for the University of Texas Longhorns, majoring in Communication and Leadership. A redshirt sophomore, Arch steps into the spotlight this season after serving as backup during his first two years.
Family history and heritage
Arch’s roots are steeped in football greatness. His grandfather, Archie Manning, was a trailblazing NFL quarterback with a 13-season career. Arch’s uncles, Peyton and Eli, are Super Bowl champions and among the most celebrated quarterbacks of modern times.
His father, Cooper, was a promising high school star whose football career ended prematurely due to a medical condition, spinal stenosis. He went on to become a successful entrepreneur and TV personality.
Arch also has a sister, May, and a brother, Heid, both athletes. While May plays volleyball at UVA, Heid played football in high school.
Career so far
Arch was a standout at Isidore Newman School, earning MaxPreps National Freshman of the Year as a freshman with over 2,500 yards and 34 touchdowns.
He continued to shine, breaking high school records and drawing national attention as a top recruit.At Texas Longhorns, Arch debuted in 2023 as the third-string QB. His first collegiate appearance came in late 2023, and he was redshirted that season. In 2024, he appeared in 12 games, though most came in relief. Now, at the start of the 2025 season, he’s the full-time starter, facing enormous expectations in a high-stakes opener against Ohio State.
Net worth
Although Arch Manning’s precise net worth isn't publicly verified, his NIL valuation paints an approximate picture: he’s estimated to be worth $6.8 million, making him the most valuable college athlete in the country. This year’s NIL deals include major partnerships with brands like Red Bull, Uber, Vuori, Warby Parker, Raising Cane’s, Panini, and EA Sports College Football.
Earlier estimates placed his net worth at around $13 million last year, but these figures might have combined his projected future earnings or included family wealth.
However, having said that, his NIL income dwarfs typical college athlete earnings and may even top many NFL rookie contracts.At just 21, Arch Manning isn’t earning a traditional salary; he’s earning through brand deals. At $6.8 million in NIL earnings, he has more financial leverage than most athletes at his stage. This success affords him rare flexibility in deciding when, or even whether, to enter the NFL draft, as his family history suggests. While his grandfather predicted he’d stay in school, Arch has remained noncommittal, focusing on each step as it comes.Will he carry on the Manning family legacy? Time shall tell. But whatever paths he chooses, it might not be ludicrous to predict—given his ‘grand’ debut—that’ll be a lucrative one!
Decide, how much 'Sanju' does Ranbir Kapoor look?