Arch Manning Dominated the Texas Longhorns Spring Game But Remains a Backup

Stephen Douglas | Apr 22, 2024

April 20, 2024; Austin, Texas, USA: Texas Longhorns quarter back Arch Manning (6) looks for a pass / Sara Diggins/USA Today Sports via

Anyone hoping to catch a glimpse of Arch Manning in 2024 would have been smart to tune into the Texas Longhorns' spring game on Saturday. A few months from his sophomore year of college, Manning is expect to start the season on the bench behind incumbent starting quarterback Quinn Ewers. That's why you have to settle for Texas-on-Texas highlights, which to be fair, were kind of cool.

With Ewers only playing two series, Manning got a chance to star and he responded by lighting up the orange defense. His first throw of the game was a 75-yard touchdown pass to DeAndre Moore Jr. According to ESPN, he finished with 355 yards and three touchdowns on 19-of-26 pass attempts. You can see the full highlights here.

Every throw from Arch Manning in the spring game 🔥🔥🔥

Ladies and Gentleman...we might just have another legit Manning in the QB world pic.twitter.com/f0j1zuP7d6

— Nash (@NashTalksTexas) April 20, 2024

It's everything you ever dreamed of, isn't it? The third generation of the Manning family to let it rip. Sure, he's still the backup, but good things come to those who wait. Last year's second-string quarterback, Maalik Murphy transferred to Duke. Now Manning is second in line. If Ewers struggles, Manning will get a chance. If Ewers doesn't, then Manning waits one more year and maybe Ewers will head to the NFL. Or maybe Arch will consider going elsewhere.

Look, don't shoot the messanger. This is what all the coaches hate and it happens all the time now so it seems ridiculous not to entertain that possibility in the current era. But who knows what the Manning family's master plan is for Arch.

He was one of the top recruits in his class and barely touched the field as a freshman, but the Longhorns won 12 games and made it to the College Football Playoff so it's hard to question Steve Sarkisian. One decent healthy season might be all he needs and all his family wants out of his college experience. If they're willing to wait then everyone else has no choice but to survive on his spring game scraps.