One of the most revealing photos leading up to the College Football Playoff matchup showed Texans starting quarterback Quinn Ewers looking over his shoulder at a gaggle of reporters gulping down Texans backup Arch Manning. It was a photograph of him in action.
“I don't think you guys are paying this much attention to the other backups,” Manning told reporters.
Manning is the hottest backup quarterback in America, even more so than Tommy DeVito, and many are wondering when he will become the Longhorns' starter.
Monday's 37-31 loss to Washington in the Sugar Bowl ended the Texans' 2023 season, but Manning's role will be a key storyline in determining whether Ewers returns to Austin.
Ewers was projected to be a potential first-round pick, but ESPN reported in early December that he was likely to return.has increased exponentially”
The quarterback said before the game that he had not yet decided on his future. According to kxan.com.
“I just want to win a national championship,” Ewers said, according to the newspaper.
Manning said he plans to return to Texas for his sophomore year regardless of whether Ewers returns, but that doesn't guarantee a return to Austin.
Manning has until Thursday to declare his transfer, but he doesn't have to decide on his next school by then.
“I'm not thinking about transferring at all,” Manning said. “I'm focused on growing and helping this team as much as I can, and I hope to someday play at the University of Texas like I've always wanted to do.”
247Sports reports that Manning is “completely comfortable” in Texas following reports that Ewers could return.
“It's never fun to sit as a reserve, but everyone's journey is different. I worked hard, without blinking an eye, and helped Quinn become the best quarterback he could be, and in the process… I’m going to try to get better.” Manning said, according to ESPN.. “It will take time, but I think it will be worth it someday.”
Manning told reporters he was grateful for his year as Texas' third-string quarterback.
Malik Murphy was Texas' No. 2 all season and started when Ewers suffered a shoulder injury, but he transferred to Duke.
“There were a lot of tough days, I'm not going to lie,” Manning said. “I never played backup in high school, so I graduated early and there are days when I'm alone in my dorm room, and I feel like I'm competing for the third-team spot all over again.'' … There are some tough days. There's hard training, hard practices, and they expect a lot from you. I'm glad you were able to overcome that and grow.”
Manning said his uncle, Giants legend Eli Manning, gave him advice about waiting his turn.
Arch threw just five passes and recorded 30 passing yards in his first season.
“Especially these days, there's a lot of older quarterbacks around college, so it takes a lot of patience,” Manning said. “So, yeah, he stressed that to me.”
