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Arch Manning is in the midst of spring practice ahead of his junior season. Viewers noticed his habit of patting the football before throws in a clip recently posted by the Texas social media team.
Is it problematic? Should the Longhorns be concerned?
The eight-second video reignited an online debate surrounding future outlook in the NFL. The very same discussion arose last offseason involving another prominent passer.
Shedeur Sanders pats the football.
His habit, which is related to timing and rhythm, revealed itself during Colorado’s Pro Day event ahead of the NFL Draft. It sparked an immediate reaction from pro players on the internet.
Safety Andre Cisco wrote on X that the habit was a giveaway to defensive backs. It clues the secondary in before the release. The pat can allow defenders to get a quick step on jumping a route.
Boy better stop patting that ball, we breaking onnat earlyyyy
-@andrecisco7 / X
That may be true, though others have enjoyed incredible careers in the NFL while using the timing mechanism. Those superstars include Tom Brady, Patrick Mahomes, and Matt Stafford to name a few.
Cornerbacks cannot have eyes in the backfield on every play. In many cases, they will probably never see the quarterback pat the football. They’ll be too busy tracking a receiver.
I promise he can pat the ball and be just fine if DB’s was so good at breaking on ball pats they’d all have 8+ picks a year. Same guys that fall for a 2 man dagger concept and give up the dig on 3rd&long every season all season long talkin bout a ball pat what a joke.
-@Young_Slay / X
The flip side of the argument is that rhythm is key. The habit helps quarterbacks time up their release as wide receivers dig into their breaks. Sometimes, it’s best not to mess with something that works.
Arch Manning showed the same habit at spring practice.
Manning connected with transfer wideout Cam Coleman at spring practice this week. A clip of the touchdown pass was posted to social media.
Many quickly responded with references to Sanders. One was QB trainer Quincy Avery, who’s worked with players like Deshaun Watson, Jalen Hurts, CJ Stroud, and Jordan Love.
He takes no issue with the habit. He did, however, recall the public blowback Sanders received a year prior.
Arch also pats the ball (I do not and never have thought that patting the ball was problematic). Just want folks to see how many people do it. I know folks gave Shedeur s— for it.
-@QuincyAvery / X
Manning does this often on timing routes. His 2025 highlight reel is full of instances in which he pats the football before throwing.
It’s not quite as noticeable on quick screens. It shows more clearly on longer developing routes in which he has to drop back and read the defense. It’s also evident on his rollout passes.
For most, it is not a red flag. It was made a larger issue with Shedeur Sanders, in all likelihood, because of his name.
Timing and comfort outweigh potential negatives. It is not problematic in most players’ and evaluators’ eyes. It does not seem like Steve Sarkisian takes issue with the ball pat, as the habit has been evident throughout Manning’s time at Texas.
Don’t expect to see a change from the signal caller moving forward.