Arch Manning could probably make millions by monetizing his name, image and likeness.
Instead, the incoming freshman quarterback has decided not to sign any NIL deals until he starts playing on a regular basis at Texas, coach Steve Sarkisian said Wednesday.
“He’s taken zero money from an NIL perspective,” Sarkisian said during an appearance at the Touchdown Club of Houston, according to The Athletic.
The Longhorns coach dismissed the notion that Manning, the top-rated prospect in the 2023 recruiting class, had a lucrative NIL deal in place when he enrolled at Texas earlier this spring. In reality, Sarkisian said, Manning does not have any endorsement deals, nor does he plan to pursue any until his place in the team is secured.
“His grandfather (former NFL quarterback Archie Manning) won’t let him take any NIL money,” Sarkisian added. “He said, ‘You can take money when you become a player and you start.’ “
Sarkisian has said that the starting role, as of now, belongs to sophomore Quinn Ewers.
In addition to being Archie’s grandson, Arch Manning is also the nephew of retired NFL stars Peyton and Eli Manning.
Given his famous last name – and star power on the field – he would likely be a highly coveted brand representative or spokesperson while at Texas. On3 estimates his NIL valuation at $3.2 million annually, which is the highest valuation in college football.
Despite that earning potential, Eli said on a podcast late last year that his nephew had so far declined NIL opportunities, adding that he was “proud of (Arch) on that.”
“That was kind of our advice,” Eli told The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz. “You’ve already got this name, people are looking at you. Go in there, earn the respect of your teammates, earn the respect of your coaches. Just go be a college quarterback for a little bit and you don’t have to worry about any of this other stuff.
“If after a couple years, you’re playing well and you’re into it, you want to do an endorsement – hey, all for it. But go earn it first, before you start taking all this money.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Arch Manning NIL: Texas QB is declining deals until he becomes starter