Arch Manning, the standout quarterback for the Texas Longhorns and NFL heir, has reportedly signed a lucrative deal with energy drink powerhouse Red Bull.
Arch Manning has officially signed a major NIL deal with Red Bull, marking a significant milestone in his rise as one of the most marketable college athletes. The highly regarded quarterback, who is expected to start in the 2025 season, shared the news on Instagram, with Red Bull posting, “target locked, wiiings secured @archmanning.” In an interview with ESPN’s Marty Smith, Manning expressed his excitement about the partnership, saying, “I really like this partnership. Everyone at Red Bull has been super nice to me and my family, and I can’t wait to get it going.
Plus, I like a Red Bull in the morning… We got early meetings, need a little energy.” While the financial details of the deal remain undisclosed, it highlights Manning’s rising profile. His NIL valuation currently stands at $6.6 million, according to On3, making him the top athlete in terms of NIL earnings across all sports, ahead of second-place Cooper Flagg, who has an estimated valuation of $4.3 million. For context, Manning’s uncle Peyton earned $7.7 million during his rookie contract in 1999.
Manning, who spent his first two seasons at Texas as a backup to starting quarterback Quinn Ewers, has shown glimpses of his talent. In 10 appearances, including two starts, he passed for 939 yards, nine touchdowns, and two interceptions, while also rushing for 108 yards and four touchdowns.
As the projected starting QB for the 2025 season, Manning will lead Texas in a challenging matchup against Ohio State, the defending national champions, on August 30th. Coming from a family of NFL legends, including his grandfather and uncles, Manning’s lineage only adds to the pressure and expectations surrounding his career.
Despite the spotlight, Manning took a careful approach to his NIL deals, waiting until he was named the starting quarterback before signing any sponsorships. He explained, “I wanted to earn my money, work hard, get to know the players. Kind of earn my way up.” With the 2025 season shaping up to be a defining year, Manning faces the challenge of living up to his family’s legacy while leading Texas toward a potential College Football Playoff appearance. The Red Bull partnership is just the beginning of his growing influence both on and off the field.