ESPN's Kirk Herbstreit Defends Texas QBs Quinn Ewers, Arch Manning Amid Criticisms

Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning has high expectations for his career, not only due to his last name, but also receiving a player comparison to Joe Burrow and a top-10 draft pick projection by 247Sports.

It isn't easy being the top recruit in the country.

There's a lot of expectations mounted on that player's shoulders, especially when its a quarterback. When it's a quarterback at a program starved for success like the Texas Longhorns have been, there's even more weight.

Oh, and you just so happen to have the last name Manning. 

The pressure on freshman Arch Manning to help the Longhorns live up to the expectations set on their program each year would be hard for the average person to handle. Couple that with a spring game performance that left a lot to be desired, and some fans and college football observers alike began to doubt if Manning would be able to ever take first-team reps in Austin.

ESPN's Kirk Herbstreit isn't buying the Manning hate, though.

“He’s been on campus for a few weeks and we’re going to sit there and have definitive comments about who he is,” Herbstreit told On3. “I wasn’t surprised. It’s the world we’re in. What’s the latest name? Quinn Ewers was the most anticipated brand name to come out of high school football in forever. And then all of a sudden, here comes Arch Manning. ‘What about Arch?’ Well, the guy you just threw to the side is supposed to be really good.”

Manning will have the 2023 season to develop and grow behind Ewers, who also has some pressure to perform next year, then the Isidore Newman High School product will be in the midst of a quarterback battle with the Maalik Murphy for 2024.

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You can follow Casey Smith on Twitter @casey_smith2419

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