Within the newest episode of “Fansville,” Deputy Quinn Ewers is urged to name for backup however resists. After a short change together with his fellow officer, Texas’ third-year beginning quarterback delivers the punchline.
“We don’t want any backup, even when he has nice hair and well-known kinfolk,” Ewers stated.
The allusion to Arch Manning is each an amusing second and intelligent writing in Ewers’ nationwide Dr Pepper industrial. However it additionally hints on the distinctive dynamic at Texas. Ewers, the previous No. 1 recruit in America, is likely one of the most well-known names within the sport, a Heisman Trophy candidate who took the Longhorns to the School Soccer Playoff final yr.
But Manning, the nephew of Peyton and Eli Manning, grandson of Archie Manning and son of Cooper, nonetheless looms giant, not less than figuratively, due to these well-known kinfolk and Arch’s lofty recruiting standing (he additionally was the No. 1 recruit in his class). That Arch has appeared in two video games and tried simply 5 passes in his Longhorns profession but continues to be given a wink and a nod within the beginning quarterback’s advert underscores the intrigue surrounding him.
However 19 months into his school profession, we’ve seen solely 27 recreation snaps of Arch, which solely heightens the fascination (followers love the backup quarterback, proper?). How a lot will we see of the redshirt freshman in 2024?
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Manning stays affected person
One of many first questions informal observers ask about Manning is whether or not he has thought of transferring since he hasn’t began. So far, Manning has given no indication that’s within the playing cards.
It’s honest to marvel as a result of switch quarterbacks have grow to be the norm. Of the 68 energy convention groups, 43 are anticipated to begin transfers this season, based on Yahoo Sports activities, a 63 % price.
However when requested in December earlier than the Sugar Bowl whether or not he thought of making a transfer whereas practising as third on the depth chart a lot of the season, Manning stated no.
“I haven’t seemed into transferring in any respect,” he stated then. “I’m simply targeted on creating and serving to this group in any manner I can. And hopefully at some point enjoying for the College of Texas like I’ve at all times wished to.”
This summer season on the Manning Passing Academy, he reiterated his need to remain in Austin whereas acknowledging how robust it’s to remain affected person.
“It’s robust since you need to be on the market enjoying together with your boys,” Manning stated in July. “However (it got here right down to) simply realizing there’s nowhere else I need to be, and it was my dream to play at Texas. I’m going to stay it out and play there ultimately.”
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Arch Manning and different QBs clarify determination to switch or keep put
Manning and his household put loads of time and care into the recruiting course of. Arch knew what he was entering into with Ewers already at Texas. The prospect to develop underneath Texas coach Steve Sarkisian, who has an extended monitor report of teaching profitable quarterbacks, was vital to Manning.
Sarkisian’s pupils embrace former USC quarterbacks Carson Palmer, Matt Leinart and Mark Sanchez, former Washington quarterback Jake Locker and former Alabama quarterbacks Tua Tagovailoa and Mac Jones.
“A part of your recruiting is your monitor report,” Sarkisian stated at SEC media days. “We’ve been lucky to teach some fairly good quarterbacks. We’ve been lucky to do it for some a long time now. We’ve been lucky to have some actually good quarterback rooms, and I feel the Manning household is fairly nicely conscious of that.
“I feel they skilled Arch to attempt to put himself in the most effective place to attempt to play in the most effective convention in America after which finally put himself in the most effective place to additional his profession enjoying within the Nationwide Soccer League.”
Due to that plan, Sarkisian doesn’t assume Manning’s determination to attend it out has been too troublesome.
“I feel Arch’s growth has been vital to the household, and he’s reaping the good thing about these issues,” Sarkisian stated. “It hasn’t been very troublesome in any respect. I feel it’s been fairly easy for him.”
In Texas’ spring recreation, Arch Manning accomplished 19 of 25 passes for 355 yards and three touchdowns. (Sara Diggins / USA Immediately)
Ewers is entrenched because the starter
Going into 2024, there’s little doubt who QB1 is at Texas and there shouldn’t be. Ewers, who bypassed the NFL Draft to return for yet another season, took massive steps ahead in 2023. He considerably improved in most main statistical classes together with completion share (58.1 to 69 %), passing yards (2,177 to three,479), touchdowns (15 to 22), yards per try (7.4 to eight.8) and passer score (132.6 to 158.6). He additionally grew to become extra constant.
This yr, he’s beginning to have the look of a pacesetter. Sarkisian stated in July that though his bodily growth and development have been nice, he has been extra enthusiastic about Ewers’ private and emotional growth.
“That has instilled a ton of confidence in all people in our constructing,” Sarkisian stated. “He walks in that constructing like he’s the beginning quarterback on the College of Texas for a top-five soccer group, and I feel that has permeated all through our locker room. …
“Now do I would like extra touchdowns, much less interceptions, greater completion share? After all. However I feel these issues are a byproduct of his preparation, are a byproduct of the arrogance that he exudes and the best way he goes to work.”
Historical past says the Longhorns will want Arch sooner or later
In every of Sarkisian’s three seasons, he has needed to flip to his backup quarterback. In 2021, he benched Hudson Card for Casey Thompson two weeks into the season however wound up needing each down the stretch due to accidents.
In 2022, Ewers missed three video games with an harm and missed two extra final yr. With this season probably longer due to the 12-team Playoff, it stands to purpose that, sooner or later, the Longhorns want to show to Manning.
“Very comfy if Arch goes within the recreation that he’ll go in and function and function at a excessive degree,” Sarkisian stated Thursday.
There’s pleasure round Manning’s growth
Final season was a studying expertise for Manning. After beginning his whole highschool profession, sitting on the bench as QB3 was a problem, particularly in his first months on campus.
“There have been loads of robust days. I’m not going to lie,” Manning stated in December. “I used to be by no means a backup in highschool. There are some days once you graduate early, you’re alone in your dorm room and also you’re like, ‘It’s one other day of combating for the third-string job.’”
In his first spring recreation, issues had been clearly transferring quick for Manning. By the point he made his school debut in opposition to Texas Tech, flashes of his athletic means and arm expertise had been current. However there have been nonetheless some freshman jitters as he dropped a shotgun snap.
This spring, he confirmed vital development. Manning dazzled within the Orange and White recreation, trying comfy, assured and in command whereas throwing for 355 yards and three touchdowns. He was correct with 4 of his seven incompletions hitting a receiver’s fingers.
With Texas’ 2023 backup, Maalik Murphy, having transferred to Duke, Manning is the clear No. 2 quarterback. Sarkisian stated because the Longhorns embark on the 2024 season, Manning has taken a giant step ahead in his growth.
“I’d in all probability say (he’s) light-years forward of the place he was final yr presently,” Sarkisian stated Thursday. “His understanding of what we’re attempting to do offensively, the nuances of the scheme, the timing of sure throws, the protections, all of these issues. And I simply assume his general consolation degree and confidence is far greater than it was a yr in the past presently.”
On Monday, Sarkisian stated he needs to play loads of gamers within the early a part of the season as Texas develops depth for a season it hopes extends into mid-January. “In case you’re within the two-deep, you’re enjoying within the first half,” Sarkisian stated.
Does that imply Manning will play within the first half Saturday in opposition to Colorado State?
“We’ll discover out,” Sarkisian stated.
(Photograph: Tim Warner / Getty Pictures)