Texas' Steve Sarkisian Reportedly Thinks Arch Manning Is 'Most Underpaid' QB in CFB
Despite being the most famous college football player in the country, Arch Manning is still not making close to his real market value, at least according to comments from Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian.
Appearing on the Andy & Ari podcast, Chris Low of On3.com said Sarkisian told him Manning is the "most underpaid" quarterback in college football right now based on what the Longhorns are paying him.
Manning has the highest NIL valuation among all college athletes at $5.4 million, per On3.com. No one else is within $1 million of him. BYU basketball star and potential No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA draft AJ Dybantsa is second at $4.2 million.
It's unclear how much Manning is being paid by Texas, but his list of NIL deals includes Google Gemini, Vuori, Red Bull, Raising Cane's and Warby Parker.
Manning reportedly made $6.8 million in 2025, his first season as Texas' starting quarterback. He could have declared for the NFL draft this spring but opted to stay in school for another year.
All expectations right now are that Manning will be the No. 1 pick in the 2027 NFL draft. He's also got the name recognition as the grandson of Archie Manning and nephew of Peyton and Eli Manning to help increase his value to Texas.
Texas will enter the season as one of the favorites to win the national title. Manning threw for 3,163 yards, ran for 399 yards and accounted for 36 touchdowns in 13 games for the Longhorns in 2025.
