Arch Manning Behind One QB on Preseason All-America Team

Arch Manning of the Texas Longhorns has been named to the second team on the preseason All-America squad, placing behind Ole Miss Rebels quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, who was selected for the first team. This marks a notable shift in the perception of college football's top quarterbacks, as Chambliss, once considered an underdog, now stands above Manning in the rankings. While Manning was a preseason Heisman Trophy favorite in 2025, his performance that season did not surpass that of Indiana's Fernando Mendoza. However, with additional experience and a distinguished football lineage, Manning is anticipated to lead the nation in passing this season. The preseason All-America selections, released by Sporting News, highlight the competitive landscape of college football. Chambliss, who led the SEC with 3,937 passing yards last year, outperformed Manning in several key metrics. Although Manning recorded more passing touchdowns, 26 compared to Chambliss' 22, he also had seven interceptions to Chambliss' three. Additionally, Chambliss demonstrated greater mobility, accumulating 527 rushing yards and eight touchdowns, compared to Manning's 399 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns. Postseason success further tipped the scale in Chambliss' favor, as Ole Miss reached the College Football Playoff semifinals, whereas Texas failed to secure a playoff berth. Chambliss' performance during the College Football Playoff semifinal run was particularly impressive, averaging 307 passing yards per game. According to Bill Bender of Sporting News, these statistics solidified Chambliss' position as the top quarterback in the rankings for 2026, giving him the edge to be named to the first team. Despite the surprise, Chambliss' credentials are well-founded, having consistently delivered under pressure throughout the season. Meanwhile, the Big Ten has emerged as a formidable force in college football, surpassing the SEC in multiple aspects, including fan engagement and stadium environments. Former Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer, known for his expertise in evaluating conferences, acknowledged this shift. After taking over Ohio State in 2012, Meyer initially believed the Big Ten lagged significantly behind the SEC. However, he noted that the Big Ten has since closed the gap, with its stadiums becoming increasingly comparable to those in the SEC. The Big Ten's dominance is underscored by its recent string of national championships, with Michigan winning in 2023, Ohio State in 2024, and Indiana in 2025. In contrast, the SEC faces challenges in maintaining its traditional supremacy. A recent critique came from an SEC defensive coordinator, who expressed concerns about the quality of LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt. Leavitt, who transferred from Arizona State to LSU under new head coach Lane Kiffin, was described as not meeting the typical standards of an LSU quarterback. The coach suggested that Leavitt's success would depend heavily on adapting to Kiffin's system, noting that while Leavitt is not immediately threatening, he possesses moments of danger. Leavitt's previous performance against Texas in the 2024 College Football Playoff semifinal included 222 passing yards and one interception, alongside 443 rushing yards and five touchdowns. His potential for improvement is evident, especially with better support from LSU's offensive line. Kiffin, who previously guided Jaxson Dart to a first-round NFL draft selection, is now tasked with developing both Leavitt and Chambliss, who remains a standout performer for Ole Miss. Chambliss' journey from a Division II quarterback at Ferris State to a top-tier collegiate player exemplifies the impact of strategic transfers and coaching. Despite some skepticism within the SEC regarding Kiffin's role in Chambliss' success, the quarterback's continued performance suggests that his development is largely self-driven. As the 2026 season approaches, the competition among elite quarterbacks promises to be fierce, with implications extending into the 2027 NFL Draft.