Arch Loves Hook ‘Em to Death: Every 5-Star QB from the 2023 Class Has Transferred—Except One
The college football transfer portal has become the new frontier for roster building, and nowhere is the chaos more apparent than at the quarterback position. The 2023 recruiting class was touted as one of the best in years, headlined by a crop of elite, 5-star signal-callers ready to shape the future of the sport. But fast-forward just one season, and nearly all of them are on the move—except Arch Manning.
Yes, the crown prince of quarterback royalty, Arch Manning, remains firmly planted in burnt orange at the University of Texas. As chaos swirls around him and his classmates jump ship, the most scrutinized quarterback prospect of the last decade has stayed the course.
Manning, the nephew of NFL legends Peyton and Eli Manning, was the No. 1 overall recruit in the 2023 class according to multiple services. From the moment he committed to Texas, expectations soared. But unlike most top QBs today, Arch didn’t demand immediate playing time. He arrived in Austin knowing he’d sit behind Quinn Ewers, and he’s stayed true to that plan—developing patiently, competing quietly, and buying into Steve Sarkisian’s vision.
Meanwhile, the rest of the 5-star class hasn’t had the same kind of stability.
Take Malachi Nelson, who was once seen as the heir apparent to Caleb Williams at USC. After a redshirt year and limited opportunities behind the reigning Heisman winner, Nelson entered the portal and landed at Boise State—an unexpected turn for a player once considered the next Trojans star.
Dante Moore, another top-tier prospect, started his college career at UCLA. He saw action early but faced growing pains and inconsistency on a struggling team. After just one season, Moore transferred to Oregon, seeking a fresh start and a system that fits his skillset better.
Nico Iamaleava, the dynamic quarterback from Tennessee, initially held firm in Knoxville, but with pressure mounting and new competition incoming, he too tested the waters of the transfer portal this offseason before ultimately staying. Even his status felt uncertain at one point.
It’s part of a growing trend in college football: patience is rare, and movement is constant. Players are eager to find the fastest path to the field, and with the transfer portal now a normalized tool, sitting behind an entrenched starter—even for a single season—can feel like a red flag.
And yet, Arch Manning is the outlier.
Despite Ewers returning for another season and Texas heading into the SEC—a tougher conference with more eyes and pressure—Manning hasn’t flinched. His decision to stay speaks volumes about his character, his confidence, and perhaps most importantly, his long-term vision. He’s not in a hurry. He’s not panicking. And he’s not chasing short-term glory.
As college football becomes more transient and transactional, Arch’s decision to stay at Texas stands out like a lighthouse in a foggy storm. Whether he eventually becomes the next great Texas quarterback or not, his loyalty to the Longhorns has already made a statement: not all 5-stars are built the same.
And if he delivers on his immense potential, Texas fans will look back at this moment as the foundation of something truly special.
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