While Arch Manning Draws Headlines, Texas Still Belongs To QB Quinn Ewers

Arch Manning might be the name on campus, but Quinn Ewers is still the front-runner for the starting quarterback job.

The whistle blows and practice begins in the cool, overcast March morning sky of Austin, Texas. While those in the Longhorns staff will watch over 100 players work drills, all eyes from the fan's perspective are fixated on one name. 

Donning a black practice jersey with the No. 16 and the last name "MANNING" in white letters, Arch Manning takes the field for the first time since arriving on campus. Texas coach Steve Sarkisian is far too busy to spend all of his time paying attention to one player.

Fans aren't. They won't be, either until the third-year coach officially names a starter for the Week 1 opener against Rice in early September. 

Manning, the son of Cooper, nephew of Peyton and Eli, and grandson of Archie, comes from football royalty. Archie, the patriarch of the Manning clan, spent over a decade as the face of the New Orleans Saints. Peyton, the middle child, spent 18 seasons in the pros and won a pair of Super Bowls before making it to Canton. The youngest, Eli, hoisted two Lombardi Trophies and might be remembered for one the greatest plays in Super Bowl history. 

So yes, there's pressure on the next Manning to live up to the family name. It doesn't help that Arch Manning graded out as the No. 1 player on nearly every website after putting up eye-popping numbers at Isidore Newman in New Orleans. 

For Manning, enrolling early means fighting for the starting job of one of college football's most interesting teams in 2023. The Longhorns took several steps in the right direction after a woeful 5-7 finish in 2021, but not enough to be viewed as a Big 12 contender. That has to change this upcoming fall if Sarkisian wants to guarantee a seat at the table once the Longhorns depart for the SEC come 2024. 

The good news for Manning? He's got time to work out the kinks. And for fans, it's best to remember that Manning should still be in his final semester of high school, planning for prom and going on spring break trips. 

Instead, he's in the midst of a battle with Quinn Ewers for the title of QB1.

“There are some plays for sure that he would love to have back,” Sarkisian said of Manning's first practice. “And there are some other plays that he made (that) I think everybody was like, ‘Wow, that was a heck of a play.’”

Ewers won't be promised the title of first-team quarterback despite winning Big 12 Newcomer of the Year in 2022. For the most part, the former Ohio State quarterback had mixed results during his first season on the Forty Acres. 

After returning from a shoulder injury suffered against Alabama in Week 2, Ewers looked like the second coming of Colt McCoy — but better — in the Red River Showdown against Oklahoma, throwing for 289 yards and four touchdowns. Three weeks later, he would be the catalyst of a 41-34 loss to Oklahoma State, tossing three interceptions and finishing with a season-low 38.8 completion percentage. 

For now, the Longhorns remain Ewers' team. He'll be the one tasked with stepping up to the plate and carrying the offensive load through most of the spring. During team drills, Ewers worked snaps first while Manning followed behind. 

Sarkisian won't coddle his redshirt sophomore quarterback in terms of the flaws with his footwork, accuracy, and decision-making, but he did mention that last season was trialing. Ewers, initially the No. 1 recruit of the 2022 recruiting class, elected to reclassify and enroll early at Ohio State for name, image, and likeness purposes. 

Four months and two snaps later, Ewers returned to the place he first committed to under then-coach Tom Herman. 

“He was essentially a true freshman this time last year for us,” Sarkisian said. “And so there (was) a lot on his mind. It’s like when the gears are moving, but there’s no WD-40 in there, those gears are grinding. It felt that way for him pretty much all year long.”

Growing pains are part of life. Everyone will undergo situations at some point they're not ready for. What matters is how one handles adversity in time. 

So far, Sarkisian has been pleased with Ewers' growth in the offseason, both in the weight room and among teammates. He's also begun donning a new look, getting trimming his trademark mullet for a more clean-cut style. 

“It just feels natural,” Sarkisian said. “He’s throwing the ball well. He’s emerging as a leader. I’m watching him break the team down and do those things, which is positive.

"All of a sudden now, the guy gets a haircut and he cleans his beard up a little bit and everyone thinks Quinn is real serious right now. But that's human nature, right?"

While the duo might be competing for the starting job, Ewers has taken Manning under his wing, according to Sarkisian. On the field, the two highly-touted passers will work against one another for personal gain. Off it, they'll work together to better the program. 

The race for QB1 might not be just between Ewers and Manning, either. Maalik Murphy, a former top quarterback recruit in the 2022 class, is expected to work in drills once he's fully healthy. Murphy is still recovering from an ankle injury suffered during his final High School game at Junipero Serra in 2021 that carried over into 2022. 

When asked about his status, Sarkisian said Murphy would be given a fair shot when the timing was right. 

“I just want to get the guy healthy because when he is healthy, he’s really talented,” Sarkisian said.

Manning will draw the headlines, but Ewers will draw the first-team reps, at least for the time being. Sarkisian knows that Manning might be one of the most talented recruits to ever walk through Austin, but all players need time to adjust to college life.

And it's not just in terms of catching up to the speed of the game. Manning made news earlier this offseason when he lost his student ID — twice. 

If one can't hold onto their identification, can they handle an up-tempo offense against veteran defenses? 

"He’s a freshman in college," Sarkisian said. "But he does take it seriously and he wants to be really good."

In an ideal world, Ewers would win the starting job, hold the title and help Texas claim its first conference championship since 2009 (if not more) before departing for the NFL draft in 2024. Manning would sit, learn the ropes and be more acclimated with Texas' system by the time SEC play begins come September of 2024. 

Sarkisian, however, isn't living in terms of idealistic dreams. He can't afford to, either. It's why when asked if the starting quarterback position was Ewers or up for grabs, he leaned toward the latter.

Still, Sarkisian mentioned that rather than focusing on the starters, all the attention was on the development of players.

And development for more than just the can't-miss kid from Louisiana. 

“Quinn has an entire year of a head start, but I don’t want to hold Arch back,” Sarkisian said. “I want to see how far he can take this thing and what it can look like.”

---

Want to see the Horns in action? Get your Texas Longhorns game tickets from SI Tickets here!

Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Longhorns? Click Here to Subscribe to the Longhorns Country Newsletter

Want even more Texas Longhorns? Check out the SI.com team page here

Follow Longhorns Country on Twitter and Facebook.

Make sure to subscribe to the Longhorns Country Podcast today! Click here To Listen.