Arch Manning, quarterback of the Texas Longhorns, is one of the most well-known players in college football. Part of that comes from his status as the top overall recruit in the 2023 class, and the other part comes from his last name, as he is the nephew of NFL legends Peyton and Eli Manning.
With the young quarterback set to open the 2025 season as Texas’s starter, an old story has resurfaced about the time his uncle Eli was arrested during his own college days.
Taking A Look Back at the Time Eli Manning Was Arrested At Ole Miss
Much like his nephew, Eli Manning was a highly touted recruit coming out of Isidore Newman High School in New Orleans, Louisiana. He committed to Ole Miss, following in the footsteps of his father, Archie, and had a legendary career with the Rebels.
Manning played at Ole Miss from 2000 to 2003, throwing for 10,119 yards, 81 touchdowns, and 35 interceptions. He won the Maxwell Award in his senior season and finished third in Heisman Trophy voting that same year.
#ThrowbackThursday to the first of many Eli Manning TD passes at Ole Miss. #HottyToddy 🔵🔴 pic.twitter.com/HVyFkYBEqM
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) January 24, 2020
Before achieving all of that college success, Manning made headlines early in his Ole Miss career for the wrong reasons. As a freshman backup appearing in just six games, he was arrested for public drunkenness and possession of alcohol, according to EBSCO records.
“Manning sat out his first college season. During that semester, he was arrested for public drunkenness and possession of alcohol by a minor,” EBSCO wrote. “Embarrassed by his mistakes, he returned to practice determined to prove himself and was eventually named the Rebels’ starting quarterback in 2001.”
Manning quickly bounced back from the early incident, establishing himself as a true sophomore star. He threw for 2,948 yards, 31 touchdowns, and nine interceptions that season, leaving the arrest in the past. Over time, he cemented his place as one of the greatest players in Ole Miss history.
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While Eli produced an impressive career in Oxford and Peyton carved his name into Tennessee Volunteer record books, Arch’s father never got to play college ball. A standout in high school, Cooper was committed to Ole Miss before he was diagnosed with a condition called spinal stenosis, which ended his playing career.
It’s still a surprising story to consider one of the Mannings, who often seem the epitome of clean-cut professionalism, being arrested during their college days. Luckily for his nephew Arch, he has kept his focus on football, drawing no attention from the public for anything off the field.
With high expectations, he enters 2025 in his first full season as Texas’s starting quarterback. Fans hope he can live up to the legendary status of his uncles, Eli and Peyton. Arch has an early chance to make his mark when Texas takes on No. 3 Ohio State this Saturday, August 30, at 12:00 p.m. ET, with coverage on FOX.