In the case of hype, there wasn’t a extra touted prospect in faculty soccer than Texas quarterback Arch Manning, the No. 1 recruit within the Class of 2023 and the obvious “inheritor” to the Manning household legacy.
Arch, the son of Cooper Manning and the nephew of seemingly Corridor of Famers Peyton Manning and Eli Manning, has all the time been on the heart of the highlight. Whether or not it’s at Isidore Newman Excessive Faculty and even at Texas, as seen by the next image through the Sugar Bowl media days final yr.
However, whereas the hype has been there, the largest query across the former five-star was: might he play and at what stage?
Nicely, Manning gave a small glimpse of the longer term throughout a current two-week stretch the place he was tasked with taking on for starter Quinn Ewers, who left with an indirect harm in opposition to UTSA again on September 14. And he delivered in basic Manning vogue with just a little additional contact.
Making his first profession begin in opposition to UL-Monroe, Manning threw for 258 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions, whereas finishing 51.7 p.c of his passes, enjoying as you’d anticipate somebody to of their first profession begin.
However, that didn’t faze him forward of SEC play, as Manning led the Longhorns to their first SEC victory final weekend with a 35-13 win in opposition to Mississippi State. He threw for 26 of 31 passing, 325 yards and two touchdowns, whereas additionally accumulating 33 dashing yards and a rating on the bottom. Fairly spectacular.
That included what many pundits dubbed because the “throw of the week,” as he hit DeAndre Moore for a candy 50-yard landing to get Texas a 14-6 lead within the second quarter.
By means of the primary 4 video games this season, Manning has proven a capability to take off on the bottom, as seen by his 67-yard dashing landing in opposition to UTSA again in Week 2, which isn’t one thing we’d often seen from the household lineage again of their enjoying days.
Now, heading into the bye week, Manning is predicted to take a backseat again to Ewers, who has been taking the first-team reps in follow as he appears to make his return to the beginning lineup in opposition to the No. 19 Oklahoma Sooners within the Purple River Showdown subsequent weekend.
However, the previous five-star quarterback has seen vital progress by way of his first 4 video games this season when in comparison with his play as a freshman, displaying that the longer term is brilliant at Texas, even after Ewers is predicted to depart this offseason for the NFL.
“I believed Arch actually made good selections Saturday,” head coach Steve Sarkisian mentioned again after Texas’s Week 2 win over UTSA. “Clearly, it was a really environment friendly day,” Sarkisian mentioned, noting that Manning’s first play, a 19-yard landing move to DeAndre Moore Jr. was his third learn. “That was encouraging his first play in. I believed the ball was actually going to the precise individuals.”
He didn’t play excellent [back in the spring game in 2023 as a freshman],” Sarkisian mentioned of Manning. “The expansion that he’s proven and the power to work at his craft, there’s an actual stage of appreciation, I believe, from Quinn to Arch. But additionally Arch to Quinn as a result of I do know Arch has been there supporting Quinn by way of his journey as properly. In order that’s an indication of a terrific room and an indication of a great staff.”
With Ewers seemingly returning in opposition to Oklahoma, questions have risen as as to if Texas would incorporate packages for Manning to maintain him on the sphere. Will Steve Sarkisian entertain the concept?
“I’ve bought respect for a man who’s the beginning quarterback and the rhythm that’s wanted to play,” Sarkisian mentioned earlier this week. “So no, that’s not one thing I’ve ever entertained.”
Ewers is the clear-cut starter for Texas going ahead, sending Manning again to the sidelines because the Longhorns look to take care of their No. 1 standing. However, the Longhorns bought a great signal over the previous few weeks, as they’ve the perfect backup quarterback within the nation with Manning, ought to another harm points come up with Ewers because the season continues.
