Overview

• Against Sam Houston, Manning threw for 309 yards with three touchdown passes and ran for two scores as Texas scored on each of its first seven drives, though the Bearkats entered winless with one of the nation’s worst pass defenses.
• Through his first three starts, he completed 55.3% of his passes for 579 yards with six touchdowns and three interceptions, drawing boos after a shaky outing versus UTEP.
• Film-based critiques from Chase Daniel and Joel Klatt focus on footwork, arm angle and rushing through progressions, diagnosing timing and mechanics rather than injury.
• Nick Saban pointed to inflated expectations and an inconsistent Texas run game increasing quarterback stress, while urging technical corrections; Tim Tebow publicly preached patience and playing free.
• An ESPN survey of 25 NFL scouts and executives named only one voter who views Manning as the top 2026 QB prospect, with many expecting he could delay his NFL entry; Daniel, after meeting him, praised his size and makeup as that of a potential No. 1 pick.