Quarterback Arch Manning will still not be the pioneer for Texas football next year, with Quinn Ewers returning to lead the highly touted Longhorns.
“It’s tough because you want to be out there playing with your boys,” Manning said during media availability at this year’s Manning Passing Academy, as reported by The Athletic.
Instead of looking for a new school where he could start, though, Manning has elected to stay in Austin.
“But (it came down to) just realizing there’s nowhere else I want to be, and it was my dream to play at Texas,” Manning said. “I’m going to stick it out and play there eventually.”
Barring an injury to Ewers, the decision means Manning won’t be coined QB1 until at least the 2025 campaign.
Skipping between schools has become common amongst college quarterbacks hoping to find their groove and more playing time.
In December 2023, nearly two-thirds of the top 20 quarterbacks from the each of the 2019-22 recruiting cycles (80 total), as ranked by 247 sports, were either in the transfer portal or had already switched schools, according to The Associated Press.
Manning’s decision brought surprise and confusion, so some turned to Ewers to get his take on the matter.
“I think he understands that what he’s got here is he’s gonna be the most ready whenever he goes to the NFL,” Ewers said, according to The Athletic.
“I think coach (Steve Sarkisian) does the best job getting quarterbacks ready for the NFL and developing guys. (Manning will) be playing in his third year. He’ll be more than comfortable in operating the offense, and it’s just a really good fit for him.”
Ewers also relates to Manning’s situation on a more personal level, as he was at Ohio State before transferring in 2021.
“I think his actions definitely go to show that the kid’s got some patience, for sure. I know it’s tough, because when I went to Ohio State, obviously it’s tough sitting behind somebody,” Ewers told the outlet.
The reality is that it’s hard to find time on the field as a quarterback, which means most players will have their collegiate career spread out over a few teams.
But Manning is deferring from that reality due to his lifelong dream to play at Texas.