If getting Quinn Ewers gave Texas head football coach Steve Sarkisian a path to start the offseason on a resounding high note, landing Arch Manning would be a nuclear bomb that paves the way to perhaps a No. 1 overall recruiting class.
Sarkisian has been all-in on Manning the past two seasons, offering scholarships to no other quarterbacks in the 2023 cycle. Like Lincoln Riley showed Malachi Nelson, Sark is making it clear to the Manning family, as well as Arch himself, that he is the priority.
At this point, it seems likely that Manning will land in Austin ultimately, and his friend and high school teammate tight end Will Randle will be in town for the spring game.
But, it is not over until it is over in college football recruiting (and with the transfer portal, not even then). So, what if Sark misses on Manning? What are the repercussions?
The biggest problem would not be Manning himself, it would be the players that he would help land. Manning likely helps Sark reel in four or five elite receivers and running back Rueben Owens, as well as helping players like defensive end David Hicks and linebacker Anthony Hill see that something special is happening on the Forty Acres.
Aside from his immense talent, the difference between landing Manning and not landing him is the difference between an elite 2023 class and a pretty good class.
Having said that, if Manning heads elsewhere, Texas will need to explore other options. One would be to not take a quarterback in this cycle, though that is unlikely as they will likely lose one to transfer this year. Jaden Rashada, another five-star, is also available and is a fit for Sark’s system. The transfer portal could also be an option.
But hopefully, plan A works out so you don’t have to go to plan B.
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