Josh Allen is now the definition of a transformative NFL quarterback. Buffalo Bills have known for a long time how impactful he can be in every area of offensive football, which made him the NFL MVP last season. Now, he is already inspiring the next generation of quarterbacks because of how complete he is.
At the Manning Passing Academy over the weekend, Texas quarterback and potential 2026 first overall pick Arch Manning said that Allen is one of his must-watches.
"I'm watching a lot of Josh Allen and Joe Burrow right now. Those are my guys," said the nephew of Eli and Peyton Manning. "They're dogs. I've watched some of their college film. They're just good players, elite competitors and fun to watch."
Yes, he mentioned Burrow there too. But when asked specifically about the Bills quarterback, Arch Manning explained what catches his attention.
"He's just the ultimate football player," Manning added. "If something's not there, he's going to make something happen and do whatever he can to make his team win."
Last season, Arch Manning appeared in ten games and started two at Texas. He completed 67.8% of his passes for 939 yards, nine touchdowns, and two interceptions. That's a 184.0 college football passer rating. Manning also showed athletic ability, with 108 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns. At the moment, he's the favorite to be the first quarterback taken off the board in next year's draft.
Curiously, Josh Allen wasn't as hyped as a prospect, even though he ended up being a first-round pick. Coming out of Wyoming after a college career in which he completed only 49% of his passes, Allen was the third quarterback picked in 2018, after Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold. It took some time for him to develop, but Allen eventually became one of the elite players in the NFL.
Arch Manning will be the fourth quarterback of his legendary family to reach the NFL level as a highly-touted prospect, after his grandfather Archie (second overall pick in 1971), and his uncles Peyton (first overall pick in 1998) and Eli (first overall pick in 2004).
