Arch Manning is set to take over as the starting quarterback of the Texas Longhorns next season. He spent his first two years as the backup to Quinn Ewers. Now, as Ewers foregoes his final year of eligibility to declare for the 2025 draft, all eyes are on Manning as his successor.
Amidst Manning’s preparation, several football analysts, including a Texas alum, have come forward to talk about the quarterback’s preparation.
Former Texas Player Debates About Arch Manninng’s Preparation
On Wednesday, former Texas running back Rod Babers broke down the new face of the Longhorns on the ‘On Texas Football’ show on YouTube. With starting QB Quinn Ewers gone, he discussed the future of the program under Manning.
Babers began the conversation by discussing the high expectations for Eli and Peyton Manning’s nephew. That is when cohost Bobby Burton came forward to share his two cents about the young quarterback.
Burton stated that fans already got a glimpse of Manning’s talent last season. Despite having limited time on the field, Burton feels that Manning will have a “strong” year with the Longhorns.
“Where do we even start with what might be his (Arch Manning’s) expectations,” Burton said. “Because, look, Quinn Ewers was ranked as one of the greatest high school QBs coming out, right? Now he accelerated his graduation by one year, and so I thought—I think—he had some catching up to do maturity-wise.”
He continued, “But Arch Manning, the number one ranked player in the country by most services…We’ve seen him already play a few games. And what we’ve seen has been very tantalizing…I’m not saying he’s been perfect in those games, but my goodness, he’s been one of those guys…Everything about him tells us that he’s going to have a strong year.”
During the 2024 season, Manning started in a few games while Ewers was out with an injury. Despite being a backup, he recorded 939 yards and nine passing TDs, along with four rushing scores.
CFB Analyst Poses Tough Question Ahead of Arch Manning’s Debut
Unlike Ewers, Manning can be a dual-threat quarterback. Head coach Steve Sarkisian could utilize his running talent next season.
On Thursday’s “Always College Football” episode, CFB analyst QB Greg McElroy discussed this Texas QB situation. He questioned how far Sarkisian is willing to go with Manning while posing the risk of injury as a dual-threat quarterback.
Will Steve Sarkisian utilize QB run often with Arch Manning in 2025?@GregMcElroy on what he expects from the @TexasFootball with Arch Manning at the helm this season 🤘⬇️#HookEm | #Longhorns | #HornsUp pic.twitter.com/bMFouy4rkI
— Always College Football (@AlwaysCFB) February 13, 2025
“I do think the offense has a chance to be a little different,” McElroy stated. “Part of what makes it a little bit different is that the quarterback mobility element will adjust ever so slightly. Sark, most of his career, has utilized a dropback passing attack. I don’t know if he’s ever utilized as a core principle of his offense the quarterback run…”
He continued, “He has it. He can do it, just not something that he’s always leaned super heavily into. How much is he willing to expose Arch Manning to quarterback-designed runs?… Do you really want to take the ball and expose your quarterback to possibly injury risk?” McElroy questioned.
MORE ARCH MADNESS: Arch Manning Taking Leadership Role by the Horns
Manning’s journey as the QB1 of the Longhorns begins with a season opener against the Ohio State Buckeyes, a rematch of the Cotton Bowl semifinal in the College Football Playoff.
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