Arch Manning put on quite a show at the Texas Longhorns Orange-White Spring Game this past weekend.
Although just a glorified scrimmage, the heavily-heralded Manning saw his most significant on-field action for the Longhorns and boy oh boy did he show what he could do.
On his very first pass attempt, he launched a 75-yard touchdown which set the tone for what was a brilliant performance on the day for Manning.
Manning was dominant throughout the first half, completing 11 of 13 passes for 189 yards and two touchdowns.
Despite facing pressure, Manning displayed remarkable pocket awareness and confidence. The progress he’s made during his short time in Austin is clear as day.
For the game, Manning was 19-26 for 355 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.
Despite Manning’s tremendous performance, head coach Steve Sarkisian reminded everybody that Quinn Ewers is the starting quarterback and virtually nothing will change that.
“I know what Quinn’s about,” Sarkisian said. “Quinn’s had a great spring.”
“I wanted Arch to be able to just go play football. He hadn’t really played in a year,” he added. “When he keeps his eyes up and steps up in the pocket, he can deliver those balls down the field the way we like to play. It was good to see, and it’s good to see some of the guys around him play with him the way that they did.”
“We’re very fortunate at the quarterback position to have a third-year starter and to have the backup that we have.”
Ewers appeared briefly in the game, which was the plan all along. His first drive ended abruptly with a tipped pass intercepted by defensive tackle Alfred Collins.
As Sarkisian mentioned, Ewers has had a strong spring and is excited to take another step forward next season.
Coming off the disappointing CFB Playoff loss to Washington, Ewers surprised some with his decision to forego the NFL Draft and instead return to Austin.
Unless disaster strikes, Ewers decision to return to Texas means Manning will have to wait yet another year to finally take meaningful snaps for the Longhorns.
Sarkisian praised Manning’s patience and dedication despite the frustrating circumstances.
“The majority of guys like Arch have always been the best their whole life,” Sarkisian said. “Then they get to college and it’s like, ‘Wait, I’m not the starter?’ No, but we’re going to develop you in a way that when you do become the starter, you’re going to play great.”
“You’re not going to have to go through some of these growing pains that some of these other guys go through with their freshman and sophomore year. We’re going to keep training you in a way that when your number does get called, you’re going to play really good football.”
Needless to say, Sark and the Longhorns are greatly excited for the upcoming season.
With the playoff field expanding to 12-teams, Texas likes their chances of getting back in the dance and making another run at the national title. (Although, their path will be tougher than ever now that they are in the SEC.)
“I think we’re a very talented football team,” Sarkisian said. “What excited me today is that playmakers made plays and that’s something that you try to recruit to … I think we’re very good. And I think that we have a chance to do some really good things.”
Manning surprised some people with his decision to stay at Texas when Ewers first announced that he was returning.
It goes without saying how in-demand Manning would be if he decided to enter the transfer portal.
Coming from the First Family of Football, Manning’s decision to stick-it-out and follow-through with his commitment to the Longhorns makes perfect sense.
Of course, he would love to play this coming season. No one wants to sit out an entire year, especially when it’s clear you’re ready, willing and able to produce at a high level … But it’s not in Manning’s DNA to run away.
Having said that, with just how impressive his performance was on Saturday, do you think there’s ANY chance Manning hits the spring transfer portal before it closes? (We’ll put the over/under at .009%)
We know NIL deals won’t win over Manning. For him, it’s truly about where the best fit for him to develop would be. He decided long ago that the answer to that question was Texas – and he will almost certainly stick with that.
However, in a world where he did decide to enter the portal, where do you think he could/should end up???