Texas fans will likely have to wait another year before finally getting to see Arch Manning as the Longhorns’ starting quarterback, as Quinn Ewers is back for Year 3 as “QB1.”
But Manning remains a topic of discussion at SEC Media Days this year, with ESPN analyst (and former Alabama coach) Nick Saban more than once raving about the redshirt freshman’s spring game performance. Texas coach Steve Sarkisian was asked during his appearance in Dallas on Wednesday about how he managed to sign the former 5-star recruit and scion of the famed quarterback family in 2023, despite Manning knowing he wasn’t likely to see the field his first two years in Austin.
“Historically for us, part of recruiting is your track record, and we’ve been fortunate to coach some pretty good quarterbacks,” Sarkisian said. “We’ve been fortunate to do it for decades. We’ve been fortunate to have some pretty good quarterback rooms. I think the Manning family is well aware of that.
“And I think they trained Arch to try to put himself in the best position to try to play in the best conference in America. And then ultimately put himself in the best position to further his career playing in the National Football League. I think Arch’s development has been important to the family and he’s reaping the benefit of those things, so it hasn’t been very difficult at all. I think it’s been pretty simple for him because we’re gonna do it straight.”
Sarkisian was offensive coordinator at USC and Alabama and also head coach at USC and Washington before arriving at Texas in 2021. Among those quarterbacks he has tutored over the years are Heisman Trophy winners Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart at USC and first-round NFL draft picks Jake Locker at Washington and Tua Tagovailoa and Mac Jones at Alabama.
