When it comes to hype, there is no more touted prospect in college football than Texas quarterback Arch Manning, the No. 1 member of the Class of 2023 and the clear “heir” to the Manning family legacy. There wasn't.
Arch, the son of Cooper Manning and nephew of future Hall of Famers Peyton and Eli Manning, has always been in the spotlight. Whether it be at Isidore Newman High School or even in Texas, as seen in the following photo from last year's Sugar Bowl media days.
But while there was hype, the biggest question about the former five-star player was whether he could play and at what level.
Now, Manning showed a little glimpse of the future during a recent two-week period when he was tasked with filling in for starter Quinn Ewers, who was sidelined with an oblique injury in the Sept. 14 game against UTSA. Just a little extra touch.
Manning, who made his first career start against UL Monroe, lived up to expectations in his first career start, throwing for 258 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions, completing 51.7 percent of his passes. .
But Manning didn't falter ahead of the SEC game, as he led the Longhorns to their first SEC win with a 35-13 victory over Mississippi State last weekend. He completed 26 of 31 passes for 325 yards and two touchdowns, while also racking up 33 rushing yards and a score on the ground. It's quite impressive.
That included what many pundits called the “pitch of the week,” a sweet 50-yard touchdown to DeAndre Moore in the second quarter that gave Texas a 14-6 lead. .
Through the first four games of this season, Manning has shown the ability to take off on the ground, as he did with his 67-yard rushing touchdown in Week 2 against UTSA, which is not in the pedigree we usually see. It doesn't exist. Go back to their playing days.
Now, heading into the bye week, Manning is expected to take a step back from Ewers, but Ewers has represented the first team in practice and is aiming to return to the starting lineup in Game 19 against the Oklahoma Sooners. Next weekend is the Red River showdown.
However, the former five-star quarterback has shown significant improvement in the first four games of this season compared to his play as a freshman, leading to Ewers being expected to transfer to the NFL this offseason. The future shows that Texas' future is bright even after this.
“I thought Arch made a really good decision Saturday,” head coach Steve Sarkisian said after Texas' Week 2 win over UTSA. “Obviously, it was a very efficient day,” Sarkisian said, noting that Manning's first play, a 19-yard touchdown pass to DeAndre Moore Jr., was his third lead. “That was encouraging for his first play. I thought the ball was really going to the right people.”
he didn't play very well [back in the spring game in 2023 as a freshman]” Sarkisian said of Manning. “I think there’s a real level of recognition for the growth he’s shown and his ability to work on his craft from Quinn to Arch, but also Arch to Quinn and Arch to Quinn throughout his journey. Because you know you've supported them. So that's a sign of a great room and a sign of a good team.”
With Ewers likely to return for the game against Oklahoma, there are questions about whether Texas will include a package to keep Manning on the field. Would Steve Sarkisian be open to this idea?
“I respect guys who are starting quarterbacks and have the rhythm they need to play,” Sarkisian said earlier this week. “No, it's not something I've ever enjoyed.”
Ewers is the clear starter for Texas going forward, moving Manning back to the sideline as the Longhorns look to maintain their No. 1 status. But there have been positive signs in recent weeks, as the Longhorns have the nation's best backup quarterback in Manning in case Ewers has injury problems as the season continues.
