Head coach Steve Sarkisian and the Texas Longhorns will be in a different situation this season with Arch Manning as the starting quarterback. This is a big change for the Longhorns, who previously had Quinn Ewers as their starting quarterback for the past three seasons.
There is no denying that Ewers was an effective college quarterback. In each of the past two seasons, he helped lead the team to appearances in the College Football Playoff semifinal. However, there are attributes Manning has that many believe make him a more dynamic player.
On Friday, Sarkisian spoke with ESPN about the changes the team is making as it transitions to a different starting QB. He mentioned that the playbook does not need to be overhauled, but given Manning’s ability to run, Texas could use some different looks against opposing defenses.
“We may not change so much, but his ability to use his legs on third down in the red area to create plays when people are in man coverage and people are blitzing and there’s voids to go run, I think would be another component to that as well,” Sarkisian said.
Manning certainly showed off his running ability during his limited appearances last year.
ARCH MANNING TAKES IT 67 YARDS TO THE HOUSE WITH HIS LEGS 😱
It’s the longest rush by a Texas QB since Vince Young in 2005. pic.twitter.com/AjU9uSli2c
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 15, 2024
HC Steve Sarkisian Believes Arch Manning’s Athleticism Is a Threat
Head coach Steve Sarkisian continued to speak about Arch Manning and what makes him stand out. Sarkisian discussed about how it is an asset to have had him on the team for the past two seasons.
As a result, they have a level of familiarity with him that is not always the case in college football, especially in an era with so many transfers. He pointed to his athleticism as a threat.
“Probably the most natural thing is his athleticism to where he’s a threat,” Steve Sarkisian said. “When he runs the ball, you have to account for him because there’s a speed component to the way he runs, and there’s a physical component to the way he runs. And so some of the things that we’re able to do in short yardage may be a little bit different than where we’ve been in the past.”
The Longhorns start their season on Aug. 30 against Ohio State.
Read More:
- 2025 Manning Award: 3 Stars Who Can Steal Spotlight as Arch Manning Misses Out on Namesake Honor
- Arch Manning’s Dad Cooper Manning Sends Blunt 3-Word Message to Paul Finebaum’s Massive Claims About Texas QB
- Arch Manning Transfer: 3 Season Scenarios That Could Trigger a Move After Archie Manning’s NFL Draft Verdict
