With the second-highest name, image, likeness (NIL) valuation in the country, quarterback Arch Manning will have the opportunity to make a lot of money through sponsorships even before potentially reaching the NFL.
The freshman quarterback who is set to attend the University of Texas does not plan to tap into NIL marketing until he’s won a starting job, though.
Arch is the grandson of Archie Manning and the son of Cooper Manning, a former high school star who had his football career cut shut due to spinal stenosis.
Archie has had a big influence on his grandson and he has told Arch to not take NIL money until he’s won a starting job with the Longhorns.
“The beauty of it for us, his NIL value — whatever it is — his grandpa won’t let him take any NIL money,” Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said in a recent interview with The Athletic. “He said, ‘You can take money when you become a player and you start.’”
Sarkisian has previously said Quinn Ewers is set to start in 2023, so Arch will begin his college career as a backup this fall.
As the nephew of Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks Peyton and Eli, Arch has received some criticism from skeptics who believe he’s overrated based on his name. Denver Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain recently came to the defense of Arch on Twitter after the QB’s underwhelming spring game.
Arch has a long way to go before potentially being paid by an NFL team, but he could be paid in endorsements well before then. The freshman quarterback won’t accept NIL money until he’s earned it, though, based on Archie’s instruction.
