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It’s just a few years ago Arch Manning Was arguably the most sought -after recruitment of high school in the nation. He decided on Austin, home to Texas Longhorns.
When Quinn Ewers was selected in the seventh round of the NFL draft, it opened the door for Manning to become Texas’ start -quarterback.
While Manning showed blinks during his limited playing time in the past few seasons, former college football coach Steve Spurrier is not ready to buy the hype around the young quarterback.
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Main coach Steve Spurrier from South Carolina Gamecocks goes off the field before the Capital One Bowl against Wisconsin Badgers January 1, 2014 in Orlando, FLA. (Scott Halleran/Getty Images)
Spurrier, who coached Florida Gators for a national championship in 1996, questioned why Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian chose to start Ewers over staffing over the past few seasons considering Manning’s much-discussed potential.
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“Most people choose Texas to win SEC in football,” Spurrier said during a recent performance on “Another Dooley noticed” podcast. “They also have Arch Manning, who already won Heisman. My question is if he was so good how will they let quinn ewers play all the time last year? He was a seventh round choice?
Quarterbacks Quinn Ewers (3) and Arch Manning (16) speak during Texas Longhorns’ first football practice in 2023 at Frank Denius Fields at the University of Texas on Austin Campus 6 March 2023. (Aaron E. Martinez/American-Statesman/USA Today)
“You only have to ask Coach Sark how have you played one instead of this one,” the Spurrier continued. “Hopefully he says, ‘because we thought he was better than that.’ Isn’t that why you play one guy and not the other?
Arch Manning of Texas Longhorns warms up before a game against Wyoming Cowboys at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium 16 September 2023, in Austin, Texas. (Tim Warner/Getty Images)
During Manning’s time on the bench, he faced questions about whether he would leave Texas to another program that would give him an opportunity to play right away.
“It was tough. I mean, it’s tough in this age,” noticing Manning, 19, when he talked to the media in April about waiting for his turn, according to Athletic. “Sometimes it’s worth waiting for.”
Manning doubled on his commitment to Longhorns and said he hopes to remain in Austin in the foreseeable future.
“But I hope it pays off. There’s no other place I want to be,” Manning said. “I want to be in Texas. I have friends here. I love this place. So I want to be quarterback at the University of Texas.”
Manning performed in 10 games last season, including two, he started instead of a wounded Ewers. He ended the 2024 season with 939 passing yards, nine touchdowns and two interceptions. Manning also showed his athletics and rushed into 108 yards and four touchdowns.
Texas defeated Clemson in the first round of College Football Playoff before an exciting overtime victory over Arizona State in the quarterfinals. The possible national champion Ohio State Buckeyes eliminated Longhorns from the endgame competition in January.
Texas opens the 2025 season against Buckeyes in Columbus August 30.
