NFL Scout Critiques Arch Manning’s Performance vs. Ohio State: ‘Tough to Watch’

NFL Scouts React to Arch Manning’s Debut as Texas Starter

Tough First Start Against Ohio State

Texas fell to Ohio State on the road last Saturday in a 14-7 defeat, marking Arch Manning’s first game as the Longhorns’ starting quarterback. The former five-star recruit, who spent two years backing up Quinn Ewers, finally got his chance to lead the offense.

Manning finished with 170 passing yards, one touchdown, and one interception. While those numbers weren’t disastrous, the performance drew mixed reactions from the NFL scouts and team representatives in attendance.

A Blunt Review From One Scout

More than a dozen evaluators were on hand to see Manning, once viewed as a potential No. 1 overall draft pick. One scout gave a particularly harsh assessment, telling Fox Sports:

“Honestly, it was a little hard to watch.”

The scout added that Manning has been surrounded by hype because of his family name — nephew of Peyton and Eli, grandson of Archie Manning — and that expectations may have set him up for disappointment. “Almost no matter what he did, he couldn’t have met those expectations. But I thought he’d look better than he did,” the scout said.

Manning Responds

On Monday, Manning admitted he needed to raise his level of play, saying: “I’ve got to play better.”

Other Evaluations Offer Balance

Not all scouting reports were negative. Another evaluator pointed out the strong secondary Ohio State fielded, suggesting the Buckeyes’ defensive talent played a role in limiting Manning’s production. Some scouts urged patience, noting it was “too early in the process” to make sweeping judgments.

Former New York Jets scout Daniel Kelly even struck a more optimistic tone. He argued that Manning showed visible growth in important areas, including reading the field, working through progressions, and maintaining accuracy beyond his first option. Kelly also praised Manning’s improved ability to feel pressure in the pocket, noting several plays where he avoided sacks, gained yards with his legs, or extended plays while keeping his eyes downfield.

What’s Next for Texas

Despite the disappointing result, Manning will have a chance to regroup quickly. Texas hosts San Jose State on Sept. 6, giving the young quarterback another opportunity to showcase his development early in the season.