LSU HC Brian Kelly serves reality check to Arch Manning as Texas QB prepares for first season as QB1

LSU coach Brian Kelly and Texas' incoming starting quarterback Arch Manning are two of the most prominent names in the Southeastern Conference. With the 2025 season on the horizon, Kelly delivered a reality check to Manning.

Speaking to ESPN's Pete Thamel and Rece Davis on the College GameDay Podcast on Tuesday, Kelly said (Timestamp: 32:42),

"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 does not come out the way it’s supposed to.

"How do you bounce back, how do you come back from that? How does it work the next week in your gameplan? So there is a lot out there. I can see the assessment of Manning, he’s an outstanding player. But I will take the guy that’s been in the SEC and seen what it looks like."

While Kelly believes that Manning is a solid quarterback, he has a clear preference for LSU's Garrett Nussmeier, who's set for another season as the Tigers' QB1. Kelly and the Tigers fan base will hope that this is the season where Nussmeier will lead the program to a national championship.

Arch Manning and Texas Longhorns have a tricky 2025 schedule

Arch Manning comes from an impressive football background. His grandfather Archie was a perennial Pro Bowler, while his uncles Peyton and Eli Manning won two Super Bowl rings each. So, the younger Manning knows something about managing high expectations.

Manning spent two seasons as a backup on Steve Sarkisian's side, and he's now poised for his first as an undisputed starter. He'll have to maneuver games against the Ohio State, Florida, Oklahoma, Kentucky, Georgia and Texas A&M to lead the Longhorns to their third consecutive postseason berth.

Furthermore, this season's performance might go some way in Manning's decision to either enter the 2026 NFL draft or wait for the 2027 iteration. Manning and the Longhorns start the season with a trip to Ohio State.