Arch Manning justified the recruiting hype as Texas’ fill-in starting quarterback

When it comes to hype, there wasn’t a more touted prospect in college football than Texas quarterback Arch Manning, the No. 1 recruit in the Class of 2023 and the apparent “heir” to the Manning family legacy.

Arch, the son of Cooper Manning and the nephew of likely Hall of Famers Peyton Manning and Eli Manning, has always been at the center of the spotlight. Whether it’s at Isidore Newman High School or even at Texas, as seen by the following picture during the Sugar Bowl media days last year.

But, while the hype has been there, the biggest question around the former five-star was: could he play and at what level?

Well, Manning gave a small glimpse of the future during a recent two-week stretch where he was tasked with taking over for starter Quinn Ewers, who left with an oblique injury against UTSA back on September 14. And he delivered in classic Manning fashion with a little extra touch.

Making his first career start against UL-Monroe, Manning threw for 258 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions, while completing 51.7 percent of his passes, playing as you’d expect someone to in their first career start.

But, that didn’t faze him ahead of SEC play, as Manning led the Longhorns to their first SEC victory last weekend with a 35-13 win against Mississippi State. He threw for 26 of 31 passing, 325 yards and two touchdowns, while also accumulating 33 rushing yards and a score on the ground. Pretty impressive.

That included what many pundits dubbed as the “throw of the week,” as he hit DeAndre Moore for a sweet 50-yard touchdown to get Texas a 14-6 lead in the second quarter.

Through the first four games this season, Manning has shown an ability to take off on the ground, as seen by his 67-yard rushing touchdown against UTSA back in Week 2, which isn’t something we’d usually seen from the family lineage back in their playing days.

Now, heading into the bye week, Manning is expected to take a backseat back to Ewers, who has been taking the first-team reps in practice as he looks to make his return to the starting lineup against the No. 19 Oklahoma Sooners in the Red River Showdown next weekend.

But, the former five-star quarterback has seen significant growth through his first four games this season when compared to his play as a freshman, showing that the future is bright at Texas, even after Ewers is expected to depart this offseason for the NFL.

“I thought Arch really made good decisions Saturday,” head coach Steve Sarkisian said back after Texas’s Week 2 win over UTSA. “Obviously, it was a very efficient day,” Sarkisian said, noting that Manning’s first play, a 19-yard touchdown pass to DeAndre Moore Jr. was his third read. “That was encouraging his first play in. I thought the ball was really going to the right people.”

He didn’t play very good [back in the spring game in 2023 as a freshman],” Sarkisian said of Manning. “The growth that he’s shown and the ability to work at his craft, there’s a real level of appreciation, I think, from Quinn to Arch. But also Arch to Quinn because I know Arch has been there supporting Quinn through his journey as well. So that’s a sign of a great room and a sign of a good team.”

With Ewers likely returning against Oklahoma, questions have risen as to whether Texas would incorporate packages for Manning to keep him on the field. Will Steve Sarkisian entertain the idea?

“I’ve got respect for a guy who’s the starting quarterback and the rhythm that’s needed to play,” Sarkisian said earlier this week. “So no, that’s not something I’ve ever entertained.”

Ewers is the clear-cut starter for Texas going forward, sending Manning back to the sidelines as the Longhorns look to maintain their No. 1 status. But, the Longhorns got a good sign over the past few weeks, as they have the best backup quarterback in the nation with Manning, should any other injury issues arise with Ewers as the season continues.