Colt McCoy Reflects on Arch Manning’s Rise, Cowboys’ Future and NIL’s Impact While Hosting Annual Youth Football Camp Experience

Colt McCoy Reflects on Arch Manning’s Rise, Cowboys’ Future and NIL’s Impact While Hosting Annual Youth Football Camp Experience

Colt McCoy, the former Texas Longhorns legend and longtime NFL quarterback, once again returned to his roots in West Texas to host his annual youth football camp, and this year’s edition was more than just drills, passes, and team-building exercises. Speaking candidly with campers, parents, and the media, McCoy opened up about a range of hot-button topics—from the future of Texas football under Arch Manning, to his views on the Dallas Cowboys’ prospects in 2025, and how Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals are changing the fabric of college athletics.

Under the searing Texas sun, McCoy stood at the center of a field filled with aspiring young athletes, many of them wearing burnt orange or Dallas Cowboys gear. For McCoy, it’s a scene he cherishes deeply—not just because it brings him back to the community that molded him into a quarterback and a leader, but because it gives him a platform to speak to the next generation about what matters most in football and in life.

The first name to come up in the post-camp conversation was that of Arch Manning. McCoy, whose own legacy in Austin still looms large, spoke glowingly of the young quarterback, who is now stepping into the spotlight more prominently as the projected starter for the Longhorns. “Arch is the real deal,” McCoy said with conviction. “He’s been patient. He’s learned behind Quinn Ewers, and now it’s his time. What I love about Arch is that he doesn’t seek attention—he puts in the work. That reminds me a lot of the culture we had when I played at Texas.”

McCoy emphasized how unique it is to carry a last name like Manning in football circles. “There’s obviously pressure that comes with that name,” he added. “But Arch doesn’t carry himself like someone who’s entitled or already arrived. He knows he has to earn it just like everyone else.”

As someone who was once considered the face of the Longhorns program, McCoy understands better than most what it means to have the eyes of Texas—and the nation—on you every Saturday. He offered advice to Arch that he said he’d offer to any young QB stepping into a high-pressure role: “Block out the noise. Surround yourself with good people. Compete every day. And always remember who you’re playing for.”

The conversation quickly turned to the broader state of football in Texas, particularly the Dallas Cowboys—a team McCoy has followed closely throughout his playing career, and especially now in retirement. “I grew up watching the Cowboys. They were America’s Team, still are to a lot of people,” McCoy said. “But the fans want results. I think we all do. There’s been talent on that roster for years, but they haven’t been able to get over the hump.”

McCoy offered high praise for quarterback Dak Prescott, whose leadership and toughness he commended, but also acknowledged the unique challenge Prescott faces in 2025 with a new offensive coordinator and a shifting supporting cast. “Dak’s been through a lot. Injuries, coaching changes, personnel changes—he’s handled it all with grace. But the NFL is a business. And I think this year is a pivotal one for him and for the Cowboys as a whole.”

The former Texas star also mentioned that the NFC is wide open, which gives Dallas a real shot at redemption. “You’ve got teams like the Eagles, the Lions, and the 49ers that are strong, but the Cowboys aren’t far behind. It’s going to come down to discipline, execution, and whether they can win those close games when it matters.”

McCoy also weighed in on the ever-evolving world of college football, specifically the rise of NIL and how it’s reshaping not only recruiting but the athlete experience overall. “When I was in college, you couldn’t even take a free meal without getting in trouble,” he said, laughing. “Now kids are signing million-dollar deals before they ever take a snap. It’s a different world.”

But McCoy wasn’t critical—if anything, he was empathetic. “Look, I think athletes deserve to be compensated, especially with the kind of revenue college football brings in. But what concerns me is whether these young guys have the right guidance. Are they making decisions that help their development as players and people? Or are they chasing money at the expense of growth?”

He pointed to the importance of mentorship and structure in an athlete’s development, noting that not every 18-year-old is equipped to handle sudden wealth and the pressure that comes with it. “That’s where schools, coaches, and families have to step up,” he said. “If handled the right way, NIL can be a blessing. But if not, it can derail a career before it ever gets going.”

McCoy himself has become a mentor to many up-and-coming athletes, and his camp is a reflection of that passion. Throughout the day, he walked the sidelines, corrected stances, threw passes, and huddled with small groups of players to talk about accountability, teamwork, and leadership. For McCoy, it’s not about creating the next NFL star—it’s about molding good people.

“I always tell these kids, football’s going to end one day. Whether it’s after high school, college, or ten years in the pros,” he said. “What matters is who you are when the pads come off. That’s what will define your legacy.”

The event also included appearances by several of McCoy’s former teammates and coaching staff, who ran position-specific drills and spoke with campers about their own journeys. Parents praised the structure and atmosphere of the camp, with many noting that it was one of the few youth events where character development was emphasized as much as athletic ability.

“Colt is just real,” said one parent. “He doesn’t sugarcoat anything. He’s honest with these kids, and you can tell he genuinely cares about each one of them.”

That authenticity is part of what has made McCoy such a beloved figure—not just in Austin, but across the state. Even as his NFL career winds down, his influence continues to grow in other arenas, including broadcasting, coaching, and advocacy.

At one point during the camp, a young participant asked McCoy if he missed playing in the NFL. The veteran QB smiled. “Of course I do. Sundays, the locker room, the grind—it’s all part of who I am. But this,” he said, gesturing to the campers around him, “this is just as rewarding. Maybe even more.”

He acknowledged the physical toll the game has taken on him, from concussions to surgeries, and admitted that retirement has given him time to reflect and find new ways to contribute to the sport. “Football gave me so much. Now I want to give back, not just with camps like this, but with whatever platform I have going forward.”

As the camp wrapped up with awards, autographs, and a heartfelt closing speech, McCoy left the young athletes with one final piece of wisdom. “You may not all go pro, but you can all be great teammates, great leaders, and great people,” he said. “And if you do that, you’ve already won.”

In a time when so much of football is driven by spectacle, headlines, and contracts, Colt McCoy’s camp served as a refreshing reminder of the sport’s deeper values. It also painted a vivid picture of a man who, though no longer taking snaps on Sundays, remains very much at the heart of the game—and of Texas.

Between his insights on Arch Manning’s growth, his tempered but optimistic outlook on the Dallas Cowboys, and his nuanced take on NIL, McCoy showed he’s still a voice worth listening to in the ever-changing landscape of football. For the young players who laced up their cleats under his guidance, that voice may very well shape their futures, both on the field and off.