AUSTIN, Texas — The moment so many who bleed burnt orange have been waiting for has nearly arrived, as Arch Manning finally takes the reins as Texas’ undisputed starting quarterback when the Longhorns travel to Ohio State on Saturday.
Manning, who was a reserve quarterback the last two years behind Quinn Ewers, has stepped into the QB1 role nicely, coach Steve Sarkisian and his teammates say. But after starting just two games last year in place of an injured Ewers and playing 268 total snaps in 12 games of mostly backup duty in his first two seasons, Manning is simply ready to play ball.
“This is what I’ve been waiting for,” Manning said Monday. “Spent two years not playing, so I might as well go have some fun, right?”
In a 10-minute interview session with local reporters, Manning complimented the Buckeyes’ talent, spoke highly of his own teammates and discussed the tall task that awaits the Longhorns. Texas fell 28-14 to Ohio State, the eventual national champion, in the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Cotton Bowl last season.
Both rosters have turned over significantly since, as 26 combined players were drafted from the Longhorns’ and Buckeyes’ 2024 rosters.
“I’m excited for this challenge, it’s going to be a big one,” Manning said. “Open up with the reigning champ, so what more could you ask for? That’s why you come to Texas.”
Although it will be Manning’s first career road start and in a hostile environment, Sarkisian believes his quarterback is ready thanks to some of the situations he was placed in last season.
“He’s just prepared well, he’s practiced well and he’s had to go against our defense every day,” Sarkisian said. “He’s been in these environments. … We put him in the semifinal game last year. We put him in the game at Texas A&M. He’s had to go in. Now he just gets to play more snaps, which I know he’s excited about.”
Manning enters the season with effusive hype following him because of his last name, bloodlines, status as a former No. 1 overall recruit and the flashes of talent he has shown in the little time that he has played. He’s the betting favorite for the Heisman Trophy, according to BetMGM, and is considered a potential first-round NFL Draft pick whenever he decides to declare.
Manning has tried to temper such expectations, saying at SEC media days in July, “I’m not really sure how they get these opinions. I’ve only played what, two games? … I guess that’s nice to say. But you know, that doesn’t mean anything. Talk is cheap, I’ve gotta go prove it.”
On Monday, Manning maintained a similar level of humility. This will be his first visit to Columbus, as he never took a recruiting trip there. He called the Buckeyes “really good” and “well coached,” with extra praise for safety Caleb Downs. “I can’t say enough good things about him,” Manning said. “He’s a really good player and we’re going to have to bring our A-game.”
Having their season ended by the Buckeyes last year does light a fire under the Longhorns going into this game, he said.
“That was (our) last loss before the championship game and we open with them, so it’s kind of a unique situation,” Manning said. “But yeah, (we) definitely use that as motivation.”
Sarkisian said his message for Manning is to just be himself and not try to be superhuman.
“Just go be you,” Sarkisian said of his advice for his quarterback. “You don’t have to do anything you’ve never done before … go play the way he’s capable of to the style that he’s comfortable doing it.”
Manning said he plans to trust his training, his coaches and the practice plan as game day draws closer. Asked how he’s mentally preparing for having a target on his back all season, with all the attention placed on him and opponents coming for him, Manning welcomed it and offered a different perspective.
“I think that’s always at Texas, and I think we kind of try to shift the narrative that we’re going for everyone else,” Manning said. “The target’s not on our back. We’ve got a red dot on everyone else.”
(Photo: Jordan Godfree / Imagn Images)
Source link
