National reaction after Arch Manning's first Texas football practice

Arch Manning took part in his first football practice at Texas and hearing head coach Steve Sarkisian talk, it sounds like he's in the thick of the race to earn the Longhorns' starting quarterback position.

Sarkisian said that Manning is technically in the race to become the quarterback for the 2023 season alongside current starter Quinn Ewers and redshirt freshman Maalik Murphy.

The nephew of Peyton and Eli Manning, Arch was a consensus five-star prospect in the 2023 football recruiting class and the No. 1 overall player according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings.

Here are some of the reactions from Manning's first day on the Forty Acres.

Reaction after Arch Manning's first Texas football practice

First look

Arch Manning looking sharp in the new practice uni!

(📸: @CJVogel_TFB) pic.twitter.com/swRQfD4bgE
— Hook'em Headlines (@HookemHeadlines) March 6, 2023

As expected, Manning will wear the No. 16 jersey as he did in high school, donning the black, no-contact look to open spring football.

Manning's uncle Peyton also wore the 16 when he was at Tennessee.

Putting it in context

Sarkisian's comment that Manning would compete for the starting QB position naturally went viral, but what was the full context of the remark?

If you're interpreting it strictly literally, it sounds like your average coachspeak, and that technically, every position is undergoing competition at this stage.

To save y’all from falling for Quinn Ewers-Arch Manning click bait headlines, this is what Steve Sarkisian said when asked if the Texas QB competition is open … https://t.co/8Onli0dLdx pic.twitter.com/McPjcoGxGN
— Taylor Gaspar Estes (@TaylorEstes247) March 6, 2023

Sarkisian reacts

Sark on Arch Manning: "For Arch today, Day 1, there's some plays for sure he would love to have back. And there's some other plays he made where everybody was like, 'Wow, that was a heck of a play.' He brings a worker's mentality and he wants to be really good at this game."
— Nick Moyle (@NRMoyle) March 6, 2023

Sounds exactly like what Texas was expecting from their top recruit in this class, a player who brings a ton of natural potential and skill but still needs plenty of time to hone those gifts into a consistent technique.

The Longhorns coach went into more detail after the practice wrapped up.

Texas opened spring practice this morning 🏈

Sark on QBs Quinn Ewers & Arch Manning ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/H0L0Cefigv
— Jeff Barker (@JeffBarker_) March 6, 2023

Arch on the field

Arch Manning and Quinn Ewers in drills on the first day of spring practice! pic.twitter.com/jwiMNbLby4
— Hook'em Headlines (@HookemHeadlines) March 6, 2023

Despite all the talk, it is still expected that Quinn Ewers will reprise his role as Texas' starter under center.

When he wasn't hurt, the former five-star prospect looked dynamic, especially in the Alabama game prior to his injury.

In total, Ewers threw for 2,177 yards with 15 touchdowns and six interceptions over 10 games as the Longhorns' starter.

Five-stars galore

Texas freshmen football players look as impressive as I’ve ever seen. AHill looks like a grown man. Johntay Cook looks ready to play. Arch Manning looks even taller than listed 6-4.
— Kirk Bohls (@kbohls) March 6, 2023

Arch Manning wasn't the only former five-star recruit on the field for Texas as camp opened.

Running back Johntay Cook and linebacker Anthony Hill were both consensus five-stars on the recruiting services and were both top 10 players at their respective positions.

In all, 2023 was a loaded recruiting class for Texas and coach Steve Sarkisian. Now comes the task of putting it all together.

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