Beyond the Heisman: Arch Manning Positioned to Collect Multiple Accolades as He Leads Texas Longhorns Through Promising 2025 Campaign
As Arch Manning takes center stage in the 2025 college football season, the whispers around his Heisman Trophy candidacy have already grown into a full-fledged national conversation. The spotlight, as always, is immense for any quarterback donning the burnt orange of Texas, but when your last name is Manning and your talent lives up to the lineage, the pressure turns into possibility. What has become increasingly clear to those inside and outside the program is that the Heisman Trophy might not be the only piece of hardware Arch Manning takes home by the end of the season.
The 2025 campaign has the potential to be transformative—not only for the Texas Longhorns as a program looking to reassert itself among the national elite, but also for Arch Manning individually. A multi-dimensional talent with a poise and pedigree that has rarely been seen at this level, Manning has quickly erased doubts, quieted skeptics, and exceeded expectations. His calm under pressure, advanced football IQ, and ability to deliver in the game’s biggest moments are not just signs of promise—they are the traits of a player already ready for greatness.
From the moment he took over as QB1, Manning hasn’t simply played the part—he’s redefined it. His early season performances have been a mix of surgical precision and explosive brilliance, with every pass, every read, and every adjustment at the line of scrimmage building the case for one of the most complete quarterbacks in the country. Already, his statistics rank near the top nationally, but it’s the way he commands the field that has scouts, analysts, and former players nodding in approval. He looks less like a first-year starter and more like a seasoned veteran who’s done this for years.
The Heisman Trophy, long seen as the highest individual honor in college football, is certainly within reach. With the way Manning has started the season—piling up yardage, touchdowns, and wins—his candidacy isn’t just legitimate, it’s likely. But beyond the Heisman, there is a growing belief that Manning could sweep multiple awards before the season concludes. The Davey O’Brien Award for the nation’s best quarterback, the Maxwell Award for the college player of the year, the Walter Camp Player of the Year award, and even Academic All-American honors are all in play. Each accolade would reflect a different part of his holistic excellence: his arm, his mind, his leadership, and his impact on and off the field.
The Davey O’Brien Award feels like the most obvious second trophy if Manning continues his current pace. The award is tailored to quarterbacks who exemplify excellence both statistically and as field generals. Manning checks every box. His passing efficiency is elite, his touchdown-to-interception ratio is pristine, and his performance in late-game situations has already yielded memorable wins. Add in his ability to extend plays with his legs and make clutch throws under duress, and he stands out among his peers as not just good—but generational.
Meanwhile, the Maxwell Award, which honors the most outstanding player in college football, often overlaps with the Heisman but leans slightly more toward overall impact rather than media narrative. Manning’s influence on Texas football has been nothing short of seismic. Since being named the starter, the Longhorns have risen in national rankings, gained attention from major bowl committees, and entered serious College Football Playoff discussions. His leadership has galvanized the team, and his demeanor—steady, focused, and unselfish—has helped elevate everyone around him. If Texas continues on this trajectory, it’s not unreasonable to think that Manning could walk away with both the Heisman and the Maxwell.
The Walter Camp Player of the Year Award, which often mirrors Heisman voting but includes input from FBS coaches and sports information directors, could also be within reach. The respect Arch commands across the country isn’t limited to fans and media. Coaches around the nation have noted his maturity, his technical soundness, and his preparation. He has the kind of game that makes opponents spend sleepless nights watching film and devising game plans. If he continues to produce at a high level while leading Texas into playoff contention, he will earn not just admiration but votes from the coaching community.
Then there’s the possibility of academic recognition. For all the attention Manning garners for his arm strength, it’s his brain that often draws the most praise behind closed doors. Coaches have raved about his recall, his ability to read defenses, and his film study habits. In meetings, he behaves like a coach-in-training, asking the right questions and providing the right answers. If he maintains strong academic performance along with his athletic dominance, Academic All-American honors could be another feather in his cap—underscoring the full scope of his discipline and drive.
It’s also worth noting that Manning’s impact reaches far beyond the gridiron. His composure in interviews, his conduct in the locker room, and his involvement in team and community initiatives reflect a young man aware of the spotlight and eager to use it for good. Awards that recognize character and leadership, such as the Wuerffel Trophy or the William V. Campbell Trophy (sometimes referred to as the “Academic Heisman”), aren’t out of the question in future seasons. He is laying the groundwork now not just for short-term glory but for long-term influence.
Of course, none of these accolades come easily. The road ahead remains filled with challenges. Conference opponents will be gunning for Texas each week, and opposing defenses will throw every look imaginable at Manning in an effort to rattle the freshman phenom. He will face pressure—both literal and figurative—that will test his patience and poise. But if the first few games of the season are any indication, Manning is not just ready for the storm—he is built to thrive in it.
His teammates have echoed that sentiment. Veteran linemen, receivers, and defensive leaders have all expressed unwavering belief in their quarterback—not just in what he can do, but in who he is. They see how he carries himself in practice, how he responds to adversity, and how he never makes it about himself. Those qualities matter. They create buy-in. They elevate locker rooms. They build culture. And culture, as any championship team will tell you, is often the difference between a good season and a historic one.
Manning’s journey is far from complete. He still has to prove himself in rivalry games, in conference showdowns, and potentially in a playoff atmosphere. But he’s done everything right so far—on the field, in the film room, and in the eyes of those whose opinion matters most. And as the wins stack up and the performances shine brighter, the award watchlists will only grow longer.
What’s remarkable is how unfazed Manning seems by all of it. He doesn’t speak in soundbites or chase headlines. He talks about team goals, about execution, about doing his job. It’s a refreshing throwback to an era where greatness wasn’t broadcast—it was simply lived out, one game at a time. His humility doesn’t hide his ambition. If anything, it enhances it. Because behind the quiet answers and modest tone is a fierce competitor who wants it all—wins, titles, and yes, awards.
As the 2025 season continues to unfold, the college football world will be watching closely. Not just to see if Arch Manning can win the Heisman Trophy, but to witness how many other accolades he can stack along the way. Because with the way he’s playing, and the way Texas is rising with him, the ceiling isn’t just high—it may not even exist. The story of Arch Manning in Austin is only just beginning, and already, it reads like something award-worthy.
