The spotlight on Arch Manning turns brighter every day. With a last name that echoes through NFL history, expectations are sky-high. He’s the heir to a football dynasty — the nephew of Peyton and Eli, and the next in line to carry the Manning legacy. Critics still question if the hype matches the talent. But when given the chance last season, Arch delivered flashes of brilliance. He showed poise, mobility, and big-play ability. So much so, that ESPN’s Paul Finebaum didn’t hold back, calling him “the best college football quarterback we have seen since Tim Tebow entered the scene in 2006.” So, Arch isn’t just playing football — he’s chasing greatness.

But Arch Manning has taken heat for sitting behind Quinn Ewers for 2 seasons. Yup, some wondered why the 5-star didn’t push for the starting job sooner. Here, former NFL QB Cam Newton sees it differently. He believes Arch and his family made a smart, long-term play. “A lot of these parents and a lot of these players get so jaded off of the fact that, ‘hey, I’m trying to play early,’” said Newton. Adding, “Scratch that. Go somewhere that after three years, you can put yourself in the position to go to the league.” So, for the Mannings, patience wasn’t a weakness — it was strategy.

Right now, on the July 4 episode of NFL on FOX, Los Angeles Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker joined Jason McIntyre to talk about Arch Manning. But the conversation took a surprising turn when Cameron revealed a personal moment that showcased Arch Manning’s humility. “I’m really excited for him. I think he’s going to do really well. I’ve been a big fan of his since he’s been like a freshman there, just because, like, one of my first times working out there when I went back, he walked up to me in the weight room and was like, ‘Hey man, I’m Arch. Great to meet you. I’ve been following your career. Like, it’s cool to see you do well.’ And I was like, ‘Damn, that’s a cool dude.‘” So, for a guy with a legendary last name, Arch still leads with respect — and it’s earning him fans far beyond the field.

In short: Cameron was clearly impressed by Arch Manning’s down-to-earth vibe. Despite the hype and the famous last name, Arch carried himself like any other guy in the room. “Like, for a quarterback to come in and like be a big dude, big name like him, and come up and introduce himself to anybody in the building is like, ‘Oh, okay. That’s like a very normal person, and he’s just like a normal guy enjoying college and, I think, ready to go have a good time,’” said Cameron. Simply put, in a world full of egos, Arch showed up humble — and that left a mark.

However, Cam Newton sees shades of his own journey in Arch Manning’s path. At Florida, Newton sat behind Tim Tebow — a humbling stretch that taught him more than talent ever could. Now, he believes Arch is walking a similar road. “Arch would be a fool if he has not learned anything from Quinn Ewers,” stated Newton. Adding, “How he prepared, how he led his team, and just how he handled and managed the expectations for being a quarterback at a university like Texas.”

Now, with Ewers off to the NFL, it’s Arch’s time to shine. The spotlight is blinding. The Heisman buzz is already building. But in today’s age of transfer portals and quick exits, Manning chose patience over pressure. Following that, Newton’s praise reminds fans that greatness takes time — and Arch may be ready to cash in.

As Arch Manning’s stock continues to soar with praise from all corners, it’s a surprising admission from Uncle Peyton Manning that’s really turning heads.

Arch Manning’s uncle Peyton drops a revealing confession

One of the biggest offseason spectacles in CFB is the Manning Passing Academy — and this year, all eyes were on Arch. The Texas QB stole the spotlight, not as an instructor, but as the star in the making. With NFL bloodlines and growing hype, Arch drew major buzz alongside top names like LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier. Even Peyton Manning couldn’t hide his excitement on The Pat McAfee Show, saying, “We try to be there as a resource for him, but Cooper has done a great job with Arch… I’m excited to watch Arch play. He’s been very patient. I thought he threw the ball really well at the camp.”

Moreover, Peyton added, “Arch made a throw the other day — I had to hit the cutoff man to get the ball to the actual receiver.” High praise from a Hall of Famer. Now, with Quinn Ewers off to the NFL, Arch takes center stage in Austin. And if the camp was any preview — the Heisman talk might be just getting started.

After two seasons of waiting and learning under Steve Sarkisian, Arch is finally ready to take the reins. And Peyton Manning believes that patience will pay off. “He’s been patient… I’m such a believer in mastering the system that you’re in,” said Peyton. With two years in Sark’s offense and the same play-caller still in place, Arch enters 2025 with a major edge. “He’s worked real hard… That’s being a good teammate. That’s being a good wingman,” added Peyton. So, the stage in Austin is set — and Arch is ready for his breakout act.

But when fans compare Arch to his legendary uncles, it’s his mobility that jumps off the screen. He’s got wheels — and as Peyton pointed out, that burst comes from his dad, Cooper Manning, a former wideout. But Arch didn’t just inherit speed. He picked up some serious swagger, too. “The moxy, that was his dad,” mentioned Peyton. Adding, “Cooper was a cocky wide receiver… He would’ve liked all 120 [passes].” That confidence, passed down from father to son, is now part of Arch’s edge. By the way, Peyton made it clear — swagger’s nice, movement helps, but success starts in the pocket. And Arch? He’s got the tools to do it all.