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By Matthew Couden
Contributing Writer
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After a big win on Saturday afternoon over the Tennessee Volunteers, Arch Manning has guided the Texas Longhorns to No. 1 in the Top 25 polls with a 4-0 record to start the season.
Manning, in his redshirt junior season with Texas, has performed well enough in those three games to lead his team to victory, but those performances have also included struggles. For example, in yesterday's hard-fought road win over Tennessee, Manning was sacked six times and intercepted once.
He completed 14 of 19 passes for 201 yards in that 20-17 win. Still, Manning received some serious criticism from a former NFL quarterback about his potential as a surefire top pick in next year's NFL Draft.
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"It’s true. I just really can’t see it the way others like Dan O, who I know knows what a top pick QB looks like. Not trying to be a hater, known this family a long long time. It’s just not there. Big, strong, athlete, but lacks the overall talent, consistency and precision as a passer," former NFL QB Luke McCown wrote in an X message after Texas's win.
More news: Steve Sarkisian Calls Out Critics Over Texas’ Physicality After Tennessee Win
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"Not much different that the Sanders conversation a couple yrs ago. It’s not hating, it just ain’t there to be a top pick," McCown also said.
After being selected by the Cleveland Browns in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL Draft, McCown played from 2004 to 2017 for various teams. After one season with the Browns, he played mostly as a backup for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Jacksonville Jaguars, New Orleans Saints, Atlanta Falcons, and Dallas Cowboys.
McCown played in 62 games during his career and started in only 10. He finished his NFL career with a 2-8 record as a starter, passing for 2,370 yards and nine touchdowns with 15 interceptions.
Last month, ESPN's Jordan Reid released his latest NFL mock draft, which had Manning as the No. 2 overall pick. The only player listed ahead of him was Oregon quarterback Dante Moore, who, like Manning, has struggled early in the Ducks' season and was recently knocked out of the team's game against USC.
Read more: Dan Lanning Calls out ‘Disgusting’ USC Hit That Injured Oregon QB Dante Moore
Many others suggest Manning is worth a team selecting in the top three to five picks of the 2027 NFL Draft, but a draft stock can rise and fall based on his performances this season and what scouts are seeing, or not seeing.
There's also the potential for the team that drafts Manning not to rush him as a rookie quarterback into a starting role and to allow him to develop. That's currently the situation with last year's Heisman Trophy winner and the 2026 NFL Draft's top pick, Fernando Mendoza, who is an understudy behind veteran Kirk Cousins on the Las Vegas Raiders.
Manning has only played four games this season and has shown valuable leadership in his team's upset of former No. 1 Ohio State. He also has time to develop and unleash stronger performances against better teams this season.
The Longhorns will face plenty of tests in their conference matchups, including October's games against SEC foes Florida and Ole Miss, both of whom had impressive wins on Saturday.
More news: Ohio State Makes Historic Jeremiah Smith Announcement After Big Day vs. Illinois
For more about the Texas Longhorns and college football, visit Newsweek Sports.
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