Longhorns QB Arch Manning Reveals 'Advice' from Peyton & Eli

LAS VEGAS -- Go back in time a year ago, and Texas Longhorns fans might have mixed reactions if you were to tell them that Arch Manning is one snap away from receiving playing time in the College Football Playoff.

Some might say they're hardly surprised. Other, more pessimistic fans, would have had their expectations severely exceeded.

Manning has gone from a true freshman that didn't receive his first collegiate snaps until late November to Quinn Ewers' backup ahead of Monday's CFP matchup against the Washington Huskies at the Sugar Bowl.

But thanks to his own detailed preparation and Hall-of-Fame advice from his uncles Peyton and Eli Manning, preparing to potentially play on the biggest stage of his young career has been smooth.

Arch spoke to the media for the first time as a Longhorn on Saturday at Caesars Superdome.

"I've tried the whole time to prepare like I'm the starter. That was the advice Peyton and Eli gave me before the season. I think being a second string (QB) now, there's obviously a better chance of going in. Hopefully that doesn't happen, but I've been trying to prepare like I'm the starter the whole season and I'm not going to change now."

This season, Manning only played in two contests and didn’t appear in his first-career college game until the regular-season finale against Texas Tech. He finished that 57-7 win going 2 of 5 passing for 30 yards while adding a 12-yard run. He then took the final snaps in Texas’ 49-21 win over Oklahoma State in the Big 12 Championship.

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With some tape now on his resume, one might expect his famous uncles to begin critiquing his play against higher-level competition.

However, Arch said that Peyton and Eli "don't overstep" when it comes to helping him out.

"They've been great to me," he said. "Obviously, I can reach out whenever. They're pretty busy staying in the media with Monday Night Football. They've been good. They don't overstep. Whenever I want advice I can go to them and we have a good relationship."

Manning and the Longhorns kickoff against Washington on Monday at 7:45 p.m. CT.