The question is, will Arch Manning live up to the hype? Brian Kelly weighs in.
As the Texas Longhorns prepare for their inaugural season in the Southeastern Conference, the spotlight on quarterback Arch Manning continues to intensify. However, LSU Tigers head coach Brian Kelly is urging caution before crowning Manning among the SEC’s elite, instead highlighting the proven experience of his own quarterback, Garrett Nussmeier.
During a recent appearance on ESPN’s College GameDay Podcast, Kelly acknowledged Manning’s record and talent but emphasized the challenges that come with playing quarterback in the SEC.
“Look, we hear it every day because [Manning is] from Louisiana. … And listen, there’s another guy that hears it all the time and that’s Garrett Nussmeier,” Kelly said. “He’s committed, and more than anything else, he’s experienced. And in this league, you need to see the bullets flying.”
Kelly praised Manning’s potential but stressed the importance of on-field production and resilience.
“Now, Manning is extremely talented. But he’s got to go do it. And there’s going to be a couple of days where it doesn’t come out the way it’s supposed to,” Kelly continued. “How do you bounce back, how do you come back from that? How does it work the next week in your gameplan? So there’s a lot out there. I can see the assessment of Manning, he’s an outstanding player. But I’ll take the guy that’s been in the SEC and seen what it looks like.”
Both Manning and Nussmeier are expected to be among the top quarterbacks in the SEC this season, alongside South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers and Florida’s DJ Lagway. Manning, who started two games in 2024, finished the year with 939 passing yards, nine touchdowns, two interceptions, and added 108 rushing yards with four scores on the ground….
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