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Robert Griffin III reacts to Texas win over Michigan: 'Arch Manning haters are real quiet'

Danby: Daniel Hager01/01/26DanielHagerOn3

Former Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Robert Griffin III took to social media to call out Arch Manning‘s haters following his performance in the Longhorns’ 41-27 win over No. 18 Michigan in Wednesday night’s Cheez-It Citrus Bowl.

Manning enjoyed one of his strongest games of the season in the victory. The preseason Heisman Trophy favorite completed 21/34 passes for 221 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions. He also rushed for 155 yards and two touchdowns, including a 60-yard touchdown run with 5:06 remaining in the fourth quarter.

“Arch Manning Haters are REAL quiet,” Griffin III tweeted.

Manning entered the 2025 season, his first as a starting quarterback, as one of the favorites to win the Heisman Trophy. He however struggled initially, passing for just four touchdowns with three interceptions in Texas‘ first four games against power-four competition this season (No. 3 Ohio State, Florida, No. 6 Oklahoma, and Kentucky).

He however finished extremely strong, passing for 14 touchdowns with just two interceptions over the Longhorns’ final six games against power-four teams (Mississippi State, No. 9 Vanderbilt, No. 5 Georgia, Arkansas, No. 3 Texas A&M, and No. 18 Michigan).

Texas opened the season with a disappointing 4-2 record after being tabbed as the No. 1 ranked team in the Preseason AP Poll, but won seven of its final eight games of the season to finish with a 10-3 record (four ranked victories).

ESPN’s Roddy Jones tabs Arch Manning as preseason Heisman favorite

Following his 60-yard touchdown run to cement the Cheez-It Bowl victory, ESPN’s Roddy Jones made a bold proclamation about Manning’s 2026 season.

“I’m going to say it, Mark (Jones),” Jones said on the ABC broadcast. “That’s your Heisman Trophy favorite going in to 2026.”

As expected, Manning is preparing to run it back at Texas in 2026. He confirmed that decision ahead of the Citrus Bowl and said his focus is on continuing his development. That’s why he’s coming back for another year in Austin.

“I felt like I developed a lot this year, especially towards the back half, and I want to keep it going,” Manning said. “There’s no reason to leave. I feel like I got a lot more football left to play, and excited to still be a part of this team.”