Top 2023 quarterbacks revisited as Arch Manning faces scrutiny at Texas

Arch Manning has lived under a microscope for years, dating back to his recruitment and eventual commitment to Texas.

That spotlight only intensified when he became the Longhorns' starting quarterback, with some analysts touting him as the preseason Heisman Trophy winner before he even took a full-time snap.

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This season, the scrutiny has reached another level. Costly fourth-quarter turnovers against Oklahoma and Florida have contributed to two losses and cost Texas a chance to enter its Week 8 matchup with No. 7 Mississippi undefeated.

Those struggles prompted Texas coach Steve Sarkisian to say after the Florida loss that "everything" on offense would be evaluated, briefly sparking questions about Manning's job security. However, Manning remains in line to start Saturday's top-20 showdown.

The 6-foot-4 quarterback has enjoyed plenty of success at Texas despite his recent struggles, compiling a 14-5 record as a starter and going 6-2 against ranked opponents. Still, expectations in Austin are measured by championships and College Football Playoff appearances. Texas has yet to reach the CFP during Manning's starting tenure, and a bid this year appears to be on life support.

Manning's situation has raised a question: how have the top quarterbacks in the 2023 recruiting class done since reaching the college ranks? Here's a deeper look:

2023 Quarterback Recruiting Class

All rankings reflect 247Sports Composite Rankings

Arch Manning

• Stars: Five
• National ranking: No. 1
• Positional ranking: No. 1

Manning, a five-star recruit, was ranked the No. 1 overall prospect and No. 1 quarterback in the 2023 recruiting class by 247Sports' Composite Rankings.

He spent two seasons backing up Quinn Ewers at Texas. During the 2024 season, Manning made two starts while Ewers was sidelined with an injury and also saw action in several other games. As Ewers dealt with an ankle issue late in the season, Manning's spot snaps came as a runner.

He took over the offense as the full-time starter last season and endured some early growing pains before finding his rhythm. Manning finished the year on a strong note, leading Texas to victories in seven of its final eight games, including a bowl win over Michigan.

His second season as the starter — which started with a win over then-No. 1 Ohio State in Week 2 — has brought increased scrutiny amid Texas' recent skid. The criticism has also impacted his NFL draft outlook, with one NFL scout telling USA TODAY Sports' Matt Hayes that Manning's grade has fallen into the third- to fourth-round range.

Below is a look at Manning's stats at Texas:

• 2023: 2 of 5 passing for 30 yards
• 2024: 61 of 90 passing for 939 yards with nine touchdowns and two interceptions; 25 carries for 108 rushing yards and four touchdowns
• 2025: 248 of 404 passing for 3,163 yards with 26 touchdowns and seven interceptions; 92 carries for 399 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns
• 2026: 106 of 166 passing for 1,295 yards with 11 touchdowns and five interceptions; 49 carries for 108 rushing yards

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Nico Iamaleava

• Stars: Five
• National ranking: No. 3
• Positional ranking: No. 2

Once Manning opted not to strongly consider Tennessee, the Vols shifted their focus towards Iamaleava, the No. 2-ranked quarterback in the class.

He took over as Tennessee's full-time starter in 2024 and enjoyed a successful season, leading the Volunteers to a 10-3 record and a College Football Playoff appearance. However, his time in Knoxville ended on a turbulent note, as he transferred following a dispute over NIL compensation.

His first season at UCLA was a struggle. The Bruins started 0-4, underwent a coaching change after three games and lost their final five contests. Iamaleava also regressed statistically, finishing with 1,928 passing yards, 13 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

He chose to stay at UCLA to play for Bob Chesney, and it proved to be a smart move. He (and the program) bounced back with 982 passing yards and five combined touchdowns in five games before he sustained a season-ending injury.

Below is a look at Iamaleava's college stats:

• 2023 (Tennessee): 28 of 45 passing for 314 yards with two touchdowns; 20 carries for 71 rushing yards and three touchdowns
• 2024 (Tennessee): 213 of 334 passing for 2,616 yards with 19 touchdowns and five interceptions; 109 carries for 358 rushing yards and three touchdowns
• 2025 (UCLA): 208 of 323 passing for 1,928 yards with 13 touchdowns and seven interceptions; 112 carries for 505 rushing yards and four touchdowns
• 2026 (UCLA): 72 of 116 passing for 982 yards with four touchdowns and four interceptions; 42 carries for 144 rushing yards and one touchdown

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Dante Moore

• Stars: Five
• National ranking: No. 5
• Positional ranking: No. 3

Originally an Oregon commit, Moore flipped to UCLA, where he played his true freshman season. He transferred to Oregon after one year, where he learned under Oklahoma transfer Dillon Gabriel in Eugene.

That year of learning proved beneficial for Moore, who emerged as Oregon's starter last season and quickly became one of the nation's top quarterbacks. He surpassed 3,500 passing yards and threw 30 touchdowns while leading the Ducks to a College Football Playoff semifinal at the Peach Bowl against Indiana after a first-round victory over James Madison and a quarterfinal win over Texas Tech.

His surprise decision to return to Oregon rather than enter the NFL draft made him one of college football's top returning quarterbacks. But Moore and the Ducks got off to a shaky start, including a Week 2 road loss to Oklahoma State. He then suffered a concussion in Week 4 against USC on a hit from Desman Stephens III and has been sidelined ever since.

Below is a look at Moore's college stats:

• 2023 (UCLA): 114 of 213 passing for 1,610 yards with 11 touchdowns and nine interceptions
• 2024 (Oregon): 7 of 8 passing for 49 passing
• 2025 (Oregon): 296 of 412 passing for 3,565 yards with 30 touchdowns and 10 interceptions; 73 carries for 156 rushing yards and two touchdowns
• 2026 (Oregon): 69 of 99 passing for 926 yards and nine touchdowns

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Jackson Arnold

• Stars: Five
• National ranking: No. 8
• Positional ranking: No. 4

Arnold's career in Norman never took off. After spending his freshman season behind Dillon Gabriel, Arnold opened 2024 as Oklahoma's starter before being briefly benched for Michael Hawkins Jr. amid early struggles. He ultimately reclaimed the job to finish the season.

He'd transfer within the SEC to Auburn for 2025. He'd finish his OU career with a total of nine starts, just under 2,000 combined passing yards and 16 combined touchdowns.

His lone season at Auburn was not much better. The Tigers started 3-4 before he got benched in favor of Ashton Daniels against Arkansas in late October. Arnold is now at UNLV, his third school in three years. The Rebels sit at 4-3 and are tied for fifth in the Mountain West.

Below is a look at Arnold's college stats:

• 2023 (Oklahoma): 44 of 69 passing for 563 yards with four touchdowns and three interceptions; 31 carries for 116 carries and a touchdown
• 2024 (Oklahoma): 154 of 246 passing for 1,421 yards with 12 touchdowns and three interceptions; 150 carries for 444 yards and three touchdowns
• 2025 (Auburn): 136 of 215 passing for 1,309 yards with six touchdowns and two interceptions; 112 carries for 311 yards and eight touchdowns
• 2026 (UNLV): 108 of 182 passing for 1,386 yards with 10 touchdowns and two interceptions; 105 carries for 408 yards and six touchdowns

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Other Quarterbacks

Below is a look at other notable quarterbacks from the 2023 recruiting class:

• Malachi Nelson (Committed to USC, now at Syracuse): 5-star | No. 5 ranked QB
• Christopher Vizzina (Committed to Clemson): 4-star | No. 6 ranked QB
• Jaden Rashada (Committed to Arizona State, now at Mississippi State): 4-star | No. 7 ranked QB
• Avery Johnson (Committed to Kansas State): 4-star | No. 9 ranked QB
• Aidan Chiles (Committed to Oregon State, now at Northwestern): 4-star | No. 12 ranked QB
• Kenny Minchey (Committed to Notre Dame, now at Kentucky): 4-star | No. 14 ranked QB
• Lincoln Kienholz (Committed to Ohio State, now at Louisville) 4-star | No. 15 ranked QB
• Austin Mack (Committed to Washington, now at Alabama): 4-star | No. 16 ranked QB
• Austin Simmons (Committed to Ole Miss, now at Missouri): 4-star | No. 19 ranked QB
• Sam Leavitt (Committed to Michigan State, now at LSU): 4-star | No. 21 ranked QB

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Top 2023 quarterbacks revisited as Arch Manning faces scrutiny at Texas