In 2024, the Texas Longhorns will debut in the SEC in a pivotal NCAA Football season for Steve Sarkisian and the team. As the competition gets tougher and the lights brighter, more sights are set on Arch Manning, the backup 5-star quarterback. The Longhorns head coach has issued a strong and positive message on the Manning’s third-generation quarterback.
Although Quinn Ewers has the starting job in Texas, his injury background and Arch Manning’s progress could turn the scale and a quarterback change could take place anytime during the college football season. On foresight, Arch’s playing opportunities would present themselves in blowouts when Ewers is taken off the field. However, Peyton and Eli’s nephew has impressed the coaching staff over at Austin, Texas.
“He is light years ahead of where he was last year at this time,” Sarkisian said about Manning. “His understanding of what we’re trying to do offensively, the nuances of the scheme, the timing of certain throws, the protections. All of those things. I just think his overall comfort level and confidence is much higher than a year ago at this time.“
Arch Manning is one of the biggest names in college football right now. And thus, the speculation around him is huge. Nobody can wait to see him on the field and in the biggest stages. However, the 19-year old is still maturing and evolving his game and perhaps his best place, at the moment, is learning on the sideline. His time will come, sooner rather than later and until then the Longhorns will roll with Quinn Ewers as their signal caller.
Arch Manning #16 of the Texas Longhorns warms-up prior to a game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium on September 09, 2023 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
Johntay Cook received similar praise from Sirkasian
The Texas 2023 recruiting class was perhaps overshadowed by Manning’s presence. However three other stars recruited have made an immediate imapct on the program. Running back CJ Baxter and Linebacker Anthony Hill have jumped straight onto the field. Whereas Johntay Cook has had a more cautious approach, like Manning. Sitting behind cemented players, Johntay and Arch have been learning at an incredible rate.
“He can play any position on the field and I think that’s where he creates a lot of value for himself,” Sarkisian commented on Cook and explained that, like Manning “he is light years ahead” than where he stood at this time of the season last year.
When could Manning get playing time?
The NCAA football schedule provides for a great amount of upsets and shocking results. However, more times than less, the best teams prevail over those not as deep or talented. Unless Ewers sustains an injury, Manning’s best odds at playing time rely on his team blowing out their opponent and sending the backups onto the field.
On paper, the games in which Texas faces inferior opponents and thus, Manning could call the shots on offense during the late stages of the game are:
- Texas Longhorns vs UL Monroe Warhawks on September 21st
- Texas Longhorns vs Colorado State Rams on August 31st
- Texas Longhorns vs UTSA Roadrunners on September 14th
- Texas Longhorns at Vanderbilt Commodores on October 26th
