Despite a highly successful three-year run under quarterback Quinn Ewers – highlighted by 26 wins and back-to-back College Football Playoff semifinal appearances – the anticipation surrounding Arch Manning’s first season as Texas’ full-time starter is reaching another level.
Among those eagerly awaiting Manning’s debut is Texas football legend Colt McCoy.
On the latest episode of his Clean Pocket podcast, McCoy welcomed head coach Steve Sarkisian to discuss the transition from Ewers to Manning, and Sarkisian offered high praise for the young quarterback’s presence in the locker room.
“[His] leadership – this guy’s got a charismatic…you can feel it, and that’s not a knock against Quinn, everybody leads differently, but he’s got something about him that guys gravitate to. That’s always a great thing to have as a quarterback,” Sarkisian said.
“You want the players to play for you, not in spite of you. [As the quarterback] you want those guys to want to play even better because of who you are, not because ‘I need to do it for me, man,’ – they want to do it, and Arch has that about him. He’s talented and nobody works harder, nobody is in the film room more.”
While Manning’s 2024 action was limited to just four games, he made the most of the opportunity. The freshman threw for 939 yards, nine touchdowns, and two interceptions, adding 108 rushing yards and four touchdowns on the ground.
He went 3-0 as a starter and helped lead Texas to a 35-13 win over Mississippi State – the Longhorns’ first victory as a member of the SEC. Even the biggest Manning critic had to admit that he looked pretty damn good.
Manning’s performance even sparked debate late last season about whether Sarkisian should make a quarterback switch as Texas made its playoff push. Though he stuck with Ewers, Sarkisian admitted Manning’s play turned heads.
“I think we saw some really (good) things, we saw some athleticism that probably surprised a lot of people,” Sarkisian added. “His ability to throw the deep ball, and the deep ball in our system and how important that is to take advantage of his 1-on-1 opportunities, it’s huge.”
Now, with Ewers off to the NFL, Manning steps in as the face of a program with championship aspirations. The hype is enormous, and so are the expectations.
Some, like former Ohio State head coach and current FOX Sports analyst Urban Meyer, are urging major caution.
Speaking on The Triple Option podcast alongside Rob Stone and Mark Ingram, Meyer weighed in on whether Manning will live up to the sky-high expectations.
“The question I have, will Arch Manning live up to the hype?” Meyer said. “I think it’s up in the air. I gotta study the personnel around him… but, you know, the pressure on that player to be what he’s supposed to be at that school and what I’ve seen, he’s a good player.
“I guess the thing when I coach people like this… what’s good enough? Is it the Heisman, or is it a national championship or bust? Last year they went 13-3… can he do that, with that schedule? I don’t know.”
Manning won’t have to wait long to prove himself.
Texas opens its season on August 30 in Columbus against defending national champion Ohio State – a true trial by fire for a quarterback prodigy stepping into the spotlight with near-unprecedented expectations.
While some remain skeptical, others believe Manning has the tools, talent, and temperament to not only meet expectations – but exceed them.
What are your thoughts on Arch? … Will he live up to the enormous hype???
