Vince Young's Strong Arch Manning Message Puts College Football Powerhouses on Alert

Nobody knows quarterbacks like quarterbacks. And one Texas legend sees big things ahead for another Longhorn legend in the making. After entering 2025 as the Heisman Trophy favorite and QB for the nation's No. 1 team, Arch Manning had some major struggles in 2025. But he did turn things around as the season went, and now enters 2026 as the wiser, slightly less anticipated QB for the nation's No. 4 team.

Former Texas QB Vince Young was no stranger to criticism-- or to dealing with huge expectations as the Longhorns' QB. After all, it was Young who led Texas to its last national title, taking down USC in an epic 2006 Rose Bowl performance. Two decades on, Young sees big things in store for his successor at the helm of the 'Horns.

Young talked on The Stampede podcast about reports he has heard from Longhorns coaches of increased confidence from Manning. The Texas legend focused on Manning's comfort and on his social role as the leader of the team.

Young Talks About Manning

"His only focus is to get better as a quarterback, be around his teammates, hang out with his teammates," said Young. "I saw a video of him having fun with his guys.... those things that I felt took me to another level when I was playing. To see him doing that with his teammates, that to me is dangerous. When you've got a quarterback that's comfortable in his environment and still enjoying the game, that is dangerous."

Young's Path to Improvement

Young himself had an up and down run. He took over midway through 2003 as a true freshman at Texas. Texas went 10-3 that year, but did take a 65-13 loss to then-No. 1 Oklahoma. In 2004, Young was the man in charge and led Texas to a solid 11-1 season and a top-five rnaking. But in a BCS era situation, the top two teams played for the title, and a 12-0 loss to (again) Oklahoma kept Young and the Longhorns on the sideline.

Young and the 'Horns then won the title in 2005, going 13-0, with a big week 2 win over Ohio State and then the title game victory over USC. Young avenged the two Oklahoma losses with a 45-12 beatdown. Of course, Manning's path could overlap that of Young.

Manning's Situation

Manning took over at QB for Texas in 2025 and saw the Horns underachieve their way to a 10-3 mark and missing the College Football Playoff. But with an incredibly talented team around him, including top transfer portal WR Cam Coleman, Texas has another shot for Manning to prove himself as a college football star.

If Manning does indeed take another step and move Texas back to football glory, Vince Young might have the chance to deliver a million "I told you so"s.

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