Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning received a major vote of confidence from actor Glen Powell on Monday as the rising star prepares for a road game against the Florida Gators.
Powell appeared on ESPN’s “NFL Live” to promote his new series “Chad Powers” and predicted that Manning would turn his play around and then some.
Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) warms up before a game against the Texas El Paso Miners at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on Sept. 13, 2025.(Scott Wachter/Imagn Images)
“I’ll say that Arch, to (have) his first start at The Shoe, at Ohio State, who is a hell of a program, that’s a tough way to come in to that position. … Arch has the capability to bring Texas to a natty (national championship),” Powell said. “Mark my words by the way, if Texas wins the natty this year, I think we’re going to go on a dynasty run.”
The Austin, Texas, native attended the university but hasn’t finished his degree just yet.
Still, he’s keeping a close eye on what the Longhorns do this season as fans have been excited about Manning, whose uncles Peyton and Eli are producers for “Chad Powers.”
Glen Powell, the star/co-creator of “Chad Powers,” arrives at the premiere of the Hulu series on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025, at Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California.(AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
“There’s no reason why people should not be coming to Texas. It’s in the greatest city in the world. One of the most prestigious teams,” the “Top Gun: Maverick” star added. “Nobody looks bad in burnt orange. I’m a big believer in this program.
“I think Arch has what it takes. I think he’s not overthinking anymore. It really feels like he’s gonna be meeting his receivers in time without having to think too much.”
Manning faced criticism out of the gate for not performing up to the college football experts’ standards when it came to his performance – though, Texas only lost to Ohio State by a touchdown in the first week of the season.
Texas quarterback Arch Manning drops back to pass against Ohio State during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Maybe the explanation for his slow starts is that simple. Nix is the Broncos’ Mr. October. His play changes with the leaves and pumpkin spice lattes.
It was this time a year ago that Nix looked like a baby giraffe on roller skates. And it only got worse in Week 4 when he couldn’t grip the football in the rain against the Jets.
And here we are in September again, and Nix isn’t exactly inspiring confidence. It was one week. And specifically Week 1. But man, the offense was ugly, forgettable and boring, wasn’t it? Sean Payton seems fine with Nix, blames himself for the play-calling and shields his quarterback from criticism to such a degree that it is weird.
We have not reached the “everyone freak out stage.” Not yet. But with games on the horizon against the Chargers and Bengals, it will be time to worry if Nix plays poorly this week.
This is suddenly a scary matchup against the Colts after they demolished the Dolphins. They looked like a playoff team last Sunday. The Broncos did not.
No quarterback performed worse in a Week 1 win than Nix.
“I know I can be a lot better,” he admitted after Wednesday’s practice.
What happened against the Titans reminded me of Texas’ Arch Manning at Ohio State. We weren’t sure what it was going to look like, but we know it wasn’t supposed to look like that. Nix threw off balance. He threw into double coverage. He threw sidearm.
He finished with two interceptions and lost his first fumble in 19 NFL games. Sometimes disappointment is traced to expectations. And that definitely applies to Nix after he led the Broncos to their first playoff berth since 2015.
My concern is one that surfaced over the summer. He never caught fire in June, failed to wow in training camp, save for a few scrimmage series against the 49ers and Cardinals, and remained uneven in two preseason games. His play has been a mirror of the offense. There are glimpses of improvement that are quickly overshadowed by long bouts of ineffectiveness.
The Broncos can win Sunday because their defense is so (bleeping) good. But they cannot stand more carelessness.
Nix needs to stop chasing perfection and focus on precision.
There’s nothing wrong with a couple of first downs and teeing up Vance Joseph’s charges with a long punt. Nix knows who he can be. He has to understand who he is on game day. If he’s not feeling it, put the ball in your pocket.
You can’t lose to the Colts because you can’t control an impulse. Nix, a coach’s son through and through, recognizes this. But will he do it?
Well……
“In the future, maybe not be so aggressive,” Nix said. “But at the same time, it’s what makes quarterbacks good. It’s a fine line.”
It really isn’t. It is a flashing neon sign in the construction zone at Dove Valley, screaming, “Proceed with caution.” This is not about taking the wag out of the puppy’s tail. We want Nix to play with passion and enthusiasm, but he must be more strategic.
Some of you don’t see it. You see Nix as the face of the franchise, the future, the reason for hope. And it makes sense. I was right there with you after last season. But give me space to remind you that Nix never went on a heater this summer. He has earned our faith that everything will soon be all right. The time is now to minimize the wrong.
“It’s not about the stats and perfection, for me it’s a standard I have for myself. With our defense, we can definitely make sure at times to give them great field position and we will get the ball back and go right back to work,” Nix said. “Overall, we want to play complementary football, but we definitely have high standards for our offense.”
Nix must prove he can do it this month.
In September games, he has completed 60.7% of his passes with two touchdowns and six interceptions in 178 attempts. In all other games, including the postseason, he boasts a 66 completion percentage with 28 touchdowns and eight picks.
Amazingly, he owns a 3-2 September record because the Broncos have held opponents to 9.3 points per game in the wins. If Payton always has Nix’s back, the defense is his bodyguard. There are very few times when a quarterback will be smiling after three turnovers and 40 pass attempts.
In his second season, Nix is smarter, better prepared. But there are things he must clean up, punches he must counter. Regardless of what Payton calls, Nix has to iron out the wrinkles. He cannot throw like he’s shooting a fallaway jumper or with his shoulder flying open. These are easy fixes given his film study and work ethic.
The other part is harder. As the Titans showed, Nix will face defenses determined to keep him in the pocket and force him to throw outside the numbers. Those passes must be made with “Clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose” conviction.
And don’t let the mind lie to the eyes. Be prudent. Nix does not have to carry the Broncos.
The best way to shake a September Slump? Remember that his teammates have his back.
“He’s a competitor. He challenges himself to be perfect. It’s something I love to see from a quarterback. That’s who he is. But no single person is going to win the game for us,” Broncos receiver Courtland Sutton said. “I love looking at him — it doesn’t need to be this whole monologue or inspirational speech — and just saying, ‘Hey, bro, we’ve got you.’ ”
