Texas quarterback Arch Manning’s NIL number has taken a notable step back from the peak of the hype cycle.
Manning, who was once estimated at $6.8 million in name, image and likeness value and ranked No. 1 nationally, is now listed at No. 20 in On3’s NIL rankings index. His current estimated value sits at $2.5 million.
That earlier No. 1 slot came before Manning had barely taken a snap at the college level. Through his first two seasons, he saw only limited playing time, and his ranking has shifted as the conversation around the incoming redshirt junior has changed in recent years.
Around the Longhorns, the buzz keeps rolling in other directions too. Coverage out of Austin and beyond has centered on Raleek Brown’s “Band-Aid” nickname, the case for which Texas players might be the fastest on the roster, and a full look at the Longhorns’ roster featuring Manning and Colin Simmons. Texas also drew attention for what observers saw at the team’s second practice of the summer.
There’s more personnel news on the offensive line, where Cole Hutson officially rejoined the Texas roster. Hutson’s return has also been framed as adding experience, depth and leadership to a room that needs all three.
On the defensive side, Texas fall camp chatter has included questions about whether this is the best D-line in the country, along with one of the most encouraging things heard so far from camp. Ryan Niblett also named the three fastest Texas players, and the results were said to be surprising. Another report labeled Texas DL Justus Terry a “generational talent.”
The recruiting picture hasn’t been quiet either. One update noted that Easton Royal is taking visits, but Texas isn’t panicking.
Across the SEC, there’s plenty else drawing eyes: a cornerbacks preview at Good Bull Hunting, Braelin Moore landing on the Rimington watch list, Ole Miss debuting in the top 10 of the USA Today coaches poll, Tennessee’s linebacker depth taking a hit with a season-ending loss, and a game-day guide for Alabama.
Elsewhere, SB Nation took a look at how “Hard Knocks” revealed Mike Macdonald’s team culture diagram.
In Other News...
Texas Freshmen Are Already Making Key Position Battles Harder To Ignore
The first week of fall camp has already given Steve Sarkisian and his staff a few reasons to keep a closer eye on the freshmen, with Derrek Cooper, Jermaine Bishop Jr. and Tyler Atkinson all turning in promising early work. Coopers physical running style stood out enough to draw praise from Sarkisian, while Tyler Atkinson has made enough progress to get noticed in a linebacker room that already has established names in front of him.
Jermaine Bishop Jr. has also added to the pressure on the depth chart, with Ryan Niblett pointing to his agility and competitiveness as traits that translate quickly in camp. For Texas, the bigger takeaway is not just that the freshmen look ready to compete, but that the early battles for snaps are becoming harder to sort out by the day. [Read more 🡒]
Would Texas Ever Give Texas Tech The Game It Wants
Joey McGuire has made no secret of what he wants for Texas Techs future schedule, and it starts with more Power Conference opponents. The Red Raiders have spent time trying to line up marquee games, including an effort to get Texas on the slate, but those conversations have not produced the kind of matchup McGuire has been after. Other programs, from Texas A&M to USC, NC State and Mississippi State, reportedly passed on Techs requests as well, leaving the Red Raiders still searching for the sort of game that would raise the profile of their nonconference calendar.
From Texas side, the picture is a little less settled. Steve Sarkisian recently signaled some uncertainty about whether the Longhorns will keep their series with Notre Dame going, and any change there could ripple into future scheduling choices. For Texas Tech, that is the kind of opening worth watching, because the bigger the name left off the Longhorns calendar, the more room there may be for the Red Raiders to finally land the kind of matchup they have been chasing. [Read more 🡒]
Texas May Already Be Eyeing Trevor Goosbys Successor
With Trevor Goosby expected to move on after this season, Texas is already doing the kind of planning that keeps an offensive line from getting caught flat-footed. The Longhorns have put themselves in position to keep the pipeline moving, and one name worth watching is Austin Attalah, a four-star tackle prospect in the 2028 class who is viewed as a possible future fit up front.
Attalah is still early in the recruiting process, but Texas has made the cut as one of his top options alongside Texas Tech and USC. Even with the Longhorns in the mix, he has not yet visited campus or set a commitment date, which means this is still more about early positioning than any imminent decision. Still, for a program looking ahead to life after Goosby, getting in early matters. [Read more 🡒]