'On The Right Trajectory': Longhorns Steve Sarkisian Confident in Arch Manning's Future
The attention surrounding freshman phenom Arch Manning's play in the Texas spring game seems to be overshadowing the productive outings from two quarterbacks who could end up being the team's driving force in 2023.
Most look to be up in arms when discussing the outing from Manning. That is, all but Texas coach Steve Sarkisian.
In an interview with 105.3 The Fan in Dallas, Sarkisian noted that Manning's struggles were evident during his several drives in the Orange-White game but also mentioned that his youthful presence would always play a factor in his transition from high school to college.
Manning, a member of the family that produced two Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks in Peyton and Eli, along with patriarch and New Orleans staple Archie, finished 5 of 13 passing for 30 yards and missed several receivers in stride against off-ball coverage.
"He's on the right trajectory he should be on," said Sarkisian. "He's a true freshman in college. He really should still be in high school. He just finished his first semester on the Forty Acres, so there's a definite transition there."
Dubbed by several message boards as the next Trevor Lawerence, expectations reached new heights for the No. 1 recruit in the 2023 cycle once he committed to Texas. Sarkisian, who enters his third season on the Arces, is set to lead the Longhorns to a new era of football in the SEC.
So far, quarterback play has been skewed at best under the man that helped produce a pair of Heisman Trophy winners in Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart, along with a Davey O'Brien Award recipient in Mac Jones. Casey Thompson and Hudson Card both have transferred since Sarkisian arrived from Tuscaloosa. Last season after a hot start, former No. 1 quarterback recruit Quinn Ewers finished the year on uneven ground, losing a pair of close matchups to Oklahoma State and TCU.
Holding the surname "Manning" will also do little favors in the public eye for the Louisiana product. At Isidore Newman, Arch Manning threw for 8,599 yards and 115 touchdowns with 20 interceptions while rushing for 1,155 yards and 25 TDs. He broke Eli's record for passing yards (7,268) and Peyton’s for TDs (93) during his four seasons as a starter.
Sarkisian knows that Manning is the program's future, and the family bought into his vision. Relationships have always been a selling point for the Manning family regarding recruiting.
Peyton, who went on to be the No. 1 pick by the Colts in 1999, committed not just to Tennessee but to offensive coordinator and mentor David Cutcliffe. When Eli was eligible to commit, he followed Cutcliffe to Archie's alma mater, Ole Miss.
"There's a lot of room for him to grow this summer," said Sarkisian of the youngest Manning passer. "There's going to be a lot of room for him to grow in fall camp, but ultimately, it's a great room that we have."
Manning wasn't expected to start this season, as Sarkisian announced following the spring game that Ewers would retain the starting. It was foolish to think otherwise after the former Ohio State product was named Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year. Despite his inconsistent play down the stretch, Ewers still finished with 2,177 passing yards and 15 touchdowns against six interceptions.
He capped off his year with a career outing against No. 12 Washington in the Alamo Bowl, throwing for 369 yards and a TD. Sarkisian also mentioned the development of second-team QB Maalik Murphy, who showed off his own skills passing, completing 9 of 13 for 165 yards, including a 79-yard touchdown to another freshman Johntay Cook.
"With Quinn, with Maalik, with Arch, that's what you have to have in college football," said Sarkisian. "A room that's pulling for one another, that's willing to develop at their own pace with whatever they need."
Sarkisian did not specify if Manning would redshirt this fall but did express his excitement to have a passer in the building with the potential to put Texas in immediate contention status once joining the SEC.
"I'm super pumped that Arch Manning's on our team," Sarkisian said."He's going to be a great Longhorn before it's all said and done."
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