Johnny Manziel Sends Arch Manning Well Wishes for 2025 Season but Draws the Line at One Highly Anticipated Texas Matchup

Johnny Manziel Sends Arch Manning Well Wishes for 2025 Season but Draws the Line at One Highly Anticipated Texas Matchup

Johnny Manziel, one of college football’s most recognizable figures and a former Texas A&M Aggies quarterback, has never shied away from speaking his mind. This week, he offered his thoughts on Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning ahead of the 2025 season — and in classic Manziel fashion, he did it with both warmth and a little rivalry-flavored humor. Speaking during an appearance on a sports radio show, Manziel praised Manning’s talent, potential, and leadership, saying he wishes him “nothing but the best” as he steps into one of the most high-pressure roles in all of college football. But he quickly added there’s one game in 2025 where those good wishes will be put on pause: when Texas faces Texas A&M.

For Manziel, the sentiment is simple — as much as he respects Manning’s game and the Longhorns’ program, his loyalty to the Aggies runs deep. The renewed Texas–Texas A&M rivalry, which officially returns this season after over a decade without an annual matchup, is personal for fans, alumni, and especially former players. Manziel, who made his own college legacy in Aggieland by winning the Heisman Trophy in 2012, sees this as one of the most important and emotionally charged games on the calendar.

“Arch is going to do big things at Texas, no doubt,” Manziel said. “But when they line up against A&M, that’s where I draw the line. I hope he plays great all year — except that day.” His comments drew laughs from the hosts and listeners, but the underlying message was clear: this rivalry means too much to take lightly.

Manning, entering his sophomore season, is expected to be the centerpiece of Texas’ offense in 2025. With a year of experience under his belt and a roster loaded with weapons, he’s already generating preseason Heisman buzz. For many Longhorn fans, the Texas–Texas A&M clash will be a measuring stick, not just for Manning’s growth, but for the program’s readiness to compete consistently at an elite level in the SEC.

Manziel knows exactly what Manning is walking into. As someone who thrived in high-pressure environments, he understands the intensity that comes with rivalry games, particularly one as storied as this. From the tailgates to the stadium atmosphere to the weeks of trash talk that precede kickoff, the Texas–Texas A&M showdown has a way of amplifying every play and every mistake. “It’s more than just a football game,” Manziel explained. “It’s bragging rights for a whole year, maybe longer, and it’s something the fans never forget.”

The last time Texas and Texas A&M met on the field was in 2011, a game that ended with the Longhorns taking a narrow victory. Since then, the rivalry has existed only in verbal sparring matches between fanbases and in what-ifs about how the programs might stack up year to year. Now, with both schools in the SEC and the matchup officially back on the schedule, anticipation is through the roof.

Manziel’s support for Manning outside of that one game speaks volumes about the mutual respect among top-tier quarterbacks. While they’ve never faced each other, their careers are linked by the shared experience of playing under immense media scrutiny and in the shadow of massive expectations. Manning, like Manziel in his day, has the weight of a storied program on his shoulders and the eyes of the nation watching his every move.

Still, Manziel is quick to acknowledge that Manning has handled the spotlight well so far. “He’s got the right mindset,” Manziel said. “You don’t get rattled, you focus on your team, and you let the noise fuel you, not distract you.” That type of mindset will be critical as Manning navigates a challenging 2025 schedule, which includes multiple top-10 opponents, road tests in hostile SEC environments, and of course, that rivalry date circled in bold red ink.

For Texas fans, hearing a former Aggie legend speak so highly of their quarterback might come as a pleasant surprise — until they remember the one game exception. For Aggie fans, Manziel’s stance is perfectly on brand: give credit where it’s due, but never, under any circumstances, root for the Longhorns to win that game.

As for Manning, he hasn’t publicly responded to Manziel’s comments yet, but given his calm demeanor, it’s likely he’ll let his performance do the talking when the time comes. If the game lives up to the hype, it could become an instant classic, adding another memorable chapter to a rivalry that’s been on ice for far too long.

In the end, Manziel’s message to Manning is a mix of professional respect and playful rivalry. He genuinely wants to see the young quarterback succeed — just not at Texas A&M’s expense. And as the countdown to the 2025 season continues, one thing is certain: when these two programs finally meet again, the entire college football world will be watching, and even the friendliest of well-wishes will be set aside for four quarters of intense, emotional football.