NFL scouts give brutal verdict on Arch Manning's debut as Texas' starting QB after stunning loss to Ohio State

Before Arch Manning debuted as Texas' full-time starting quarterback on Saturday in Columbus, the biggest question facing the NFL legacy is whether he would turn pro as early as next spring or wait until he graduated from Austin in 2027.

Now, following his disastrous showing in the top-ranked Texas' 14-7 loss to No. 3 Ohio State, some NFL scouts are starting to question his football future entirely.

'Honestly, it was a little hard to watch,' a long-time NFC scout told Fox Sports' Rob Rang. 'He's just been hyped up so much. Almost no matter what he did, he couldn't have met those expectations. But I will admit that I thought he'd be better than he was.'

Once the top recruit among high school quarterbacks, Archie Manning's grandson and the nephew of Super Bowl winners Peyton and Eli was the country's best-known backup quarterback for two seasons behind Quinn Ewers. He even got to make a few starts, throwing for 325 yards and a pair of touchdowns in a conference win over Mississippi State.

Now with Ewers moving to the NFL, the starting job as well as the Longhorns' national title hopes rested firmly on the 21-year-old throwing arm of the younger Manning.

But things went awry on Saturday at the Horseshoe, where Manning completed just 17 of 30 passes for 170 yards. And while he did throw a touchdown pass , he was also picked off and took a sack as the defending-champion Buckeyes clamped down on that side of the ball.

With fans dismissing Arch as the Zeppo Marx of the Manning family, one scout reminded Rang of another NFL legacy who got a brutal wake-up call at the NFL Draft.

'If Shedeur [Sanders] last year didn't prove it to y'all that the league cares more about the tape than the pedigree, I don't know what to tell you,' the scout told Rang of the Browns rookie quarterback and fifth-round pick, who is also the son of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders.

One more forgiving AFC scout mentioned that Manning was facing the defending national champions and a defense led by former NFL head coach and defensive coordinator, Matt Patricia.

'Tough environment to play your first game [as QB1],' the scout told Rang. 'And to give [new Ohio State defensive coordinator Matt] Patricia all summer long to prepare? It was like giving a Calculus test to a kindergartner. That was the toughest test [Manning will] face probably all year long.'

Another scout seconded that opinion, explaining that 'in a couple of years' all of the Buckeyes defensive backs will be in the NFL.

If there was one bright spot it was a fourth-quarter throw to tight end Jack Endries that helped the Longhorns move out from deep within their own territory.

'That was a legitimate NFL throw,' a scout told Rang. 'He read the coverage and threaded the needle. [Patrick] Mahomes doesn't place that one any better.'

But for as poor as Manning looked in Columbus, one NFC scout and an AFC scout insisted he still has plenty of time to improve his draft stock.

'I can't speak for every scout obviously, but [Saturday's game] won't change anything for me,' the NFC scout said. 'It's just too early in the process. We're still establishing a baseline of who the prospect is. I don't care whether his last name is Manning, Smith or Jones, he's got a long way to go.'

'He'll be fine,' the AFC scout added. '[Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian] will coach him up. You guys [media] made the mistake of overhyping him based on two games last year. Don't make the same mistake of doubting him now based on one bad game to start this year.'