Even though Arch Manning will enter the 2024 season as Texas’ backup again, and just because he could use the transfer portal to find a different program, Eli Manning, his uncle, doesn’t think switching schools would be the best plan.
In an interview with CBS Sports Radio from Las Vegas ahead of Super Bowl 2024, Manning recalled how most quarterbacks — including the future Giants signal-caller back when he attended Ole Miss — entered college knowing they’d redshirt for a year, wouldn’t play right away and still have three years of eligibility left.
When Arch started at Texas last year, Quinn Ewers was already serving as head coach Steve Sarkisian’s starter, but Ewers opted to delay his leap to the NFL by another season — and Sarkisian has already revealed that there won’t be a quarterback competition.
“Obviously, the plan was maybe Ewers would go into the NFL,” Eli Manning said, “but he’s there. It’s another year for Arch to mature, learn an offense, get bigger, stronger in the weight room and always be prepared to play. You never know what’s gonna happen. He’s gotta be ready. If not, then he gets some playing time here and there and he’s got three more years of eligibility at a great school, at a great football program on the rise.
“The fact that you can transfer so easily now doesn’t mean you should do it, just because you’re not playing right away.”
Arch could enter the transfer portal during a 15-day window at the end of April.
Outside of kneeling down the final snap of the Big 12 championship game, Arch’s other appearance occurred during the Longhorns’ Nov. 24 win against Texas Tech, when he entered during the third quarter of the rout and completed 2-of-5 passes for 30 yards.
His limited playing time allows Arch to count it as a red-shirt season.
He’d emerged as the Longhorns’ third-string quarterback in 2023 behind Ewers and Maalik Murphy, but Arch moved up the depth chart after Murphy transferred to Duke following the season.
Arch also told reporters ahead of the College Football Playoff semifinals that he hadn’t looked into transferring and that he still wanted to develop and eventually play for Texas.
His first year with the Longhorns was different, Arch admitted.
His tenure with Isidore Newman High School in New Orleans never involved backing up someone.
“There were a lot of tough days,” Arch told reporters in December. “I’m not going to lie.”
His chances at becoming the Longhorns’ starter for 2024 took a hit when Ewers announced his decision to return for next season, confirming a scenario that ESPN had reported was likely to materialize.
Sarkisian then described Ewers, who compiled 3,479 passing yards, 22 touchdowns and six interceptions during his second collegiate season, Wednesday as a quarterback who wasn’t a “finished product,” pinpointing one of the top prospects for the 2025 NFL Draft as the one to help Texas navigate its first year playing an SEC schedule.
“He picked Texas because that’s where he wants to be,” Eli Manning said of Arch. “That’s where he wants to play football. He likes Coach Sarkisian and his offense and what they’re doing.
“… I know he wants to play. He’s itching to get in there. But being patient, continuing to learn can be very helpful as well.”
