Arch Manning is officially Texas’ starting quarterback, but Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian made one thing clear: The path ahead will be far from easy.
During a recent appearance on the “Clean Pocket” podcast with former Texas QB Colt McCoy, Sarkisian took a moment to reflect on the journey of outgoing starter Quinn Ewers, offering high praise for his toughness and resilience.
While doing so, Sarkisian also indirectly sent a message to Manning about the challenges that await him in his new role.
“I just don’t think [Ewers] gets enough credit for what he’s meant to this program,” Sark said, recalling how Ewers played through several injuries, including a painful oblique strain and a high ankle sprain suffered from a controversial hip-drop tackle.
“(Hip-drop tackles aren’t) illegal in college football, but it is in the NFL,” Sark added, emphasizing the physical toll Ewers endured.
As high-profile as he was, it’s true that Ewers never quite got the respect he deserved. A lot of that had to do with the fact that Manning was waiting in the wings.
Despite Ewers’ toughness and accomplishments, Sarkisian noted that the quarterback faced his share of criticism from fans, a reality Manning will soon experience as well.
“There’s an expectation that people have,” Sark said. “Right now, he’s the prodigal son. But the first interception – it’s going to happen…”
Sarkisian further explained that Longhorn fans “love the backup quarterback, but they hate interceptions,” reminding everyone that while hype can be overwhelming, it’s quickly replaced by scrutiny when mistakes start appearing on the stat sheet.
(Having said that, something tells me Manning will have a slightly longer leash with the fan base.)
Manning, who has spent the past two seasons behind Ewers, is now stepping into an offense with championship aspirations – and the immense pressure that comes with it.
Sarkisian didn’t shy away from the gravity of the situation. While he praised Manning’s talent, he made it clear that the expectations are already set.
As Manning prepares for his moment in the spotlight, Sarkisian’s words serve as a reminder that in Austin, there is no room for a grace period.
Despite all of the warnings, the fact of the matter is we’ve seen enough from Manning to know that he’s the real deal.
And by all accounts, he’s been working extremely hard this offseason and doing all of the right things both on and off the field.
What are your expectations for Manning and the Longhorns this coming season? … Will Arch live up to the massive hype???
