Tag: Arch Manning

Could Arch Manning take Texas Longhorns from ‘back’ to ‘dynasty’?

Could Arch Manning hold the key to a Texas Dynasty? The celebrity QB will take the helm of the Longhorns next season.

The 2019 Sugar Bowl left an indelible mark on Longhorn history. From the pre-game altercation between Bevo and Uga to the Longhorns’ triumphant victory over Georgia with a final score of 28-21, it was a year filled with unforgettable moments. To conclude the remarkable season, then-Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger declared, “We’re back.”

Texas indeed has status as an academic and athletic powerhouse, boasting one of the nation’s largest endowments and athletic budgets, rivaling only Harvard University. The Burnt Orange identity holds immense significance.

But it took a while to be truly “back.”

Critics and rivals mocked “Texas is back” with every misstep over the next few years. Network analysts ask the question over and over, “Is Texas back?” The coach in that Sugar Bowl, Tom Herman, was dismissed. Steve Sarkisian came in and it took some time before he got UT back to competing for championships.

But now Texas is back, no pun intended to Sam Ehlinger. Two CFP berths in two years, two conference title appearances, an elite recruiting class on the horizon, and two elite quarterbacks sharing the field. Texas is back.

The decision to join the SEC was done with championships in mind. “Compete against the best to be the best” is the thinking. But playing the best week in and week out is challenging.

The Longhorns continue to face scrutiny and are often judged differently than other teams. The SEC’s 2024 season is considered a disappointment by some. But all of the aspirations for this season are still on the table for Texas. Two losses to Georgia won’t matter in the long run if UT wins the national title. Texas’s path to success is still alive.

Hiring Sarkisian, acquiring the highly touted prospect Quinn Ewers, and subsequently landing Arch Manning were all significant steps forward. However, despite these achievements, Texas fell short of securing the College Football Playoff National Championship last year. They did, however, win out the Big 12 in their final season.

So, what or who could restore Texas to its former glory, its elite-power dynasty status, if you will? First off, Texas has always been elite, in their ways of course. Financially, and academically, but on the football field, they have had their fair share of struggles. What could propel them to the level of the Alabama Nick Saban era. Well, the answer could lie in Arch Manning.

I’m not placing the entire fate of a billion-dollar brand’s image on a college student, but I believe Arch has the potential to lead Texas to levels of excellence we haven’t witnessed since the 2005 National Championship. The next two years could very well be a fairytale for the Longhorns. Next season, with a win at Ohio State, a victory at Georgia, and possibly even winning the SEC and heading to the Championship once again, could be a reality for the Longhorns.

Regardless, Arch Manning possesses the complete package to make things happen. With the No. 1 recruiting class loading up for his senior year, greatness is consistent. If he leads Texas to a win-out, we could be talking about an Arch Manning Heisman contender. That alone could be enough to redefine Texas as a dynasty.

Texas will always have haters of the brand, some claiming that the SEC, CFP, and others favor Texas. However, in all honesty, this analysis is intriguing. Texas is an interesting brand, and it undoubtedly lives up to the SEC Motto of “It Just Means More.”

So, am I suggesting that this year, specifically, this CFP couldn’t propel Texas back to greatness? Well, this could be Texas’ year; it’s an easy path, at least statistically, for the Longhorns to secure a spot in the National Championship. Nevertheless, I believe they’ll need more than just a first-round victory to truly be a dynasty similar to the likes of Alabama or Georgia.

A National Championship would undoubtedly be a significant achievement and would be proudly displayed in the Texas Athletics Hall of Fame and on the side of DKR. But, the Longhorns should crave consistency. To be truly elite, Texas must consistently perform at an elite level in every game. The Manning family thrives on consistency and growth.

Let’s be honest, Arch Manning has the potential to be a starter at any university in America and could potentially make the most NIL money imaginable. However, he has been behind Texas’ Quinn Ewers for the past two seasons, observing and learning from him. Next season, this is his team.

So, yes, this year could be the year Texas builds upon the SEC mantra of “Just Meaning More.” A win at the National Championship or even a first-round CFP game shouldn’t be enough to declare the Longhorns a dynasty. But it’ll look great on the journey. Texas is indeed back, the question is, how do you define back?

During SEC Media Days, Nick Saban declared that Texas wouldn’t dominate the SEC. However, in their inaugural season, the Longhorns made it to the SEC Championship game and they are right back in the College Football Playoff, with no Alabama in sight.

Above all else, they certainly outperformed their arch-rivals, A&M.

Report: Quinn Ewers plans to enter NFL Draft, Arch Manning to start in 2025

A new report says Longhorns QB Quinn Ewers plans to declare for NFL Draft after 2024 season is over, Arch Manning to start for Texas in 2025.

Over the past few weeks we’ve heard rumors about Quinn Ewers declaring for the NFL Draft. There have also been rumors that Ewers would transfer at the end of this season.

With both reports out there for a couple weeks, there seems to be confusion in Ewers camp about what to do after the season is over. The junior QB’s up and down play this season could be the major culprit.

Ewers looked outstanding through the first two and a half games of the season. Especially in the Michigan game, where he shredded the vaunted Wolverines defense in Ann Arbor.

But the Southlake product hasn’t looked the same since his oblique injury against UTSA in Week 3. Ewers was out two games and then possibly rushed back for the Oklahoma game. Quinn didn’t look great against Oklahoma, but did enough in the second half to secure the win over the hapless Sooners.

The next game against Georgia was Ewers worst game of the year. It was followed by a two interception performance against Vanderbilt that Texas barely won. Ewers started playing better, but then got a high-ankle sprain against Kentucky and has struggled at times since.

It’s all led to the uncertainty about Ewers future.

A new report from Anwar Richardson of OrangeBloods.com suggests Ewers still has plans to try for the NFL. On Twitter, Richardson says, “Sources say Quinn Ewers still plans to declare for the NFL Draft after this season, paving the way for Arch Manning to take over in 2025. Manning is locked in with Texas and coach Steve Sarkisian, with no plans to transfer. Right now, both are dialed in on Clemson.”

In fact, NFL agent Luke McMurtrey refutes the transfer rumors on Twitter calling them “Fake News.” McMurtrey is with Sportstars Inc. and part of Ewers’ team.

McMurtrey was responding to a Tweet by NFL Rookie Watch, who said in another Tweet, “Quinn Ewers reportedly ‘has a deal on the table’ from a team in the Big 10 for $4 million to transfer next season and forgo the NFL Draft. Ewers is reportedly debating on transferring and staying in college for another season or entering the draft. Several NFL scouts reportedly have Ewers ranked “outside” of their Top-4 QB’s in this year’s draft.”

If you try to boil it all down, it sounds like this is what’s actually going on. Ewers’ camp isn’t sure where he’ll be drafted. They probably have a target in mind, similar to that report about wanting to be in the top four quarterbacks in the draft.

If Ewers NFL Draft feedback isn’t what they want, they will explore transferring and make a few million of NIL money next season before trying for the NFL after 2025.

The problem with that plan is how it impacts Texas. It seems, behind the scenes, the Texas staff are going to go with Arch Manning in 2025 regardless. I’m sure Ewers knows this and probably had an indication from the staff before the year even started that they it was Ewers team in 2024 and then move on to Arch. It’s logical that promises have been made to the Manning camp, which has been a big reason Arch has not considered transferring.

So what will happen is Ewers and Texas will play out the season. If Texas makes a deep run in the college football playoffs and Quinn plays well, the NFL Draft will probably await him. If he plays poorly and Texas is bounced early against either Clemson or Arizona State, Ewers will consider transferring to play another year of college football.

Either way, it seems the Longhorns are set to name Manning the starter in 2025.

Should Texas turn to Arch Manning in College Football Playoff to fix inept offense?

With Texas Longhorns offense looking as bad as it has all season, should Steve Sarkisian start Arch Manning over Quinn Ewers in the playoff?

There has never been a point this season when I think Texas coach Steve Sarkisian seriously thought about elevating Arch Manning into the permanent starting QB role. But is now the time?

When Quinn Ewers was injured against UTSA, Manning accounted for five touchdowns in relief. Manning threw for four TDs and had an electrifying 65-yard TD run.

Manning showed off a better arm than Ewers during his time as the starting QB and many national analysts and fans alike wondered if Sark should just make the switch. But when Ewers rushed back from injury, Sark when right back to him in the Oklahoma game.

Even when Sark went to Manning in the second quarter of the first Georgia game, I don’t believe he had any notion about making a permanent switch. But Ewers has struggled since coming back from his oblique injury. He has spurts where he looks like he did against Michigan this season and Alabama in 2023.

But this version of Ewers doesn’t look confident. Sometimes his passes look really weak, like he’s lost arm strength. Sark points to Ewers experience in tough moments and big situations. But since the Washington game in last year’s college football playoff, he’s mostly failed in those key spots.

Does Sark not trust Manning? Does he put too much faith in Ewers’ three seasons of experience? Is Ewers still the best choice for a playoff run

The answer to these questions over the next few days will surely keep Sarkisian up at night. It’s starting to look like this team might not have enough on offense to win the national championship. The offense looks as broken and is having trouble finishing off drives against decent defenses.

It seems clear 2024 is Ewers last year at Texas. There have been rumors of entering the draft or transferring to another school next season. My guess is, Ewers will enter the NFL Draft if his grade is high enough. If not, he’ll transfer and make room for Manning.

Sark has been loyal to Ewers. But it is getting harder and harder to defend Ewers as the starting QB. He doesn’t look capable of winning a close game late. If the offense is broken and Manning is the future, switching QBs might be the only way to win it all this year, instead of waiting until next year.

Even if Texas falls flat in the playoff with Manning at the helm, he’ll be more ready for the first game of 2025, which happens to be at Ohio State.

Joel Klatt predicts winner of SEC Championship

Joel Klatt’s predicts who will win the SEC championship game between UGA and Texas

Fox college football analyst Joel Klatt has predicted his SEC championship winner. The Georgia Bulldogs take on the Texas Longhorns Saturday afternoon in the SEC championship.

The Bulldogs are considered three-point underdogs coming into this game. The Longhorns posted a dominant 11-1 record in their first season in the SEC, with their only loss coming against Georgia 30-15.

Klatt went on “The Joel Klatt Show” to discuss the SEC championship at length.

What does Joel Klatt say about the SEC championship?

On Kirby Smart: “We’re going to get underdog Kirby…when Georgia wins against an SEC team they should’ve, you’ll probably catch Kirby saying ‘Man, it’s tough to win on the road in the SEC’ and when Georgia wins a big game against a tough opponent, he’ll say, ‘Nobody gave us a chance to win this.'”

On the first meeting: “Georgia’s defensive line totally dominated the offensive line of Texas, which was a bit surprising. I think Texas has one of the best offensive line in the country.”

“Do I think this game is going to play exactly like the first meeting? No. Sark is too smart to go with the same game plan against Georgia.”

On injuries: “Kelvin Banks, the star left tackle for Texas, is dealing with an ankle injury…Quinn Ewers has been dealing with an ankle injury, so how effective is Kelvin Banks going against a front that was the only front to dominate the line over the course of the year?”

On Arch Manning: “Could the legs of Arch Manning be a factor in this game? It very well might be. Georgia’s defense gave up a ton of yardage to Haynes King. That could be an advantage for Texas. I like Quinn Ewers a lot but I’m starting to come around in that Arch might be a better option. This could be a similar discussion to Alabama back when they had Tua Tagovailoa and Jalen Hurts in 2017.”

On which Georgia team will show up: “I’m not sure. Let’s just hope for their sake that it’s the good version.”

On Carson Beck: “I think Carson Beck’s been better the last three games. He still turned it over three times against Texas and they (the Bulldogs) won, but he’s had twelve touchdowns and no turnovers the past three games. Can Carson Beck drive the ball against Texas and score?”

On the defensive matchup: “Texas’s defense is an elite defense. They’re No. 2 in the country behind only Ohio State, and Georgia’s defense just gave up 500 yards to Georgia Tech.”

Klatt believes that Texas will win in the rematch. “I think Texas wins the rematch. I think they’re a better football team. I think they win it 24-21,” Klatt said.

Klatt’s prediction: Texas 24, Georgia 21

ESPN CFB insider Pete Thamel confirms Texas QB Quinn Ewers’ injury issues

Texas QB Quinn Ewers isn’t 100%

No. 20 Texas A&M (8-3, 5-2 SEC) hosts No. 3 Texas (10-1, 6-1 SEC) on Saturday night, ESPN CFB insider Pete Thamel confirmed on College GameDay that Longhorns starting quarterback Quinn Ewers is still dealing with a high ankle sprain, but will start on Saturday night.

However, backup quarterback Arch Manning could see the field if Ewers struggles, especially if the Longhorns struggle to move the ball with the junior under center. Texas A&M’s deep defensive line needs to make an impact regardless of the quarterback they’re facing.

While the final injury report will show Quinn Ewers as the starter, Manning’s dual-threat ability could hurt the Aggies. The Aggies have struggled against running quarterbacks this season, including the last two SEC losses against South Carolina and Auburn.

In six games this season, Manning has thrown for 939 yards, nine touchdowns, and two interceptions, including two starts against ULM and Mississippi State.

No. 19 Texas A&M will host No. 3 Texas on Saturday, Nov. 30 at 6:30 pm. CT. The game will air on ABC.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.

3 Keys to victory for No. 20 Texas A&M vs. No. 3 Texas on Saturday night

Saturday night could go either way, but the Aggies need to play smart football

It all comes down to Saturday night, as No. 20 Texas A&M (8-3, 5-2 SEC) will host the No. 3 Texas Longhorns for a spot in the SEC Championship game against Georgia on Dec. 7. The Aggies and Longhorns will meet on the field for the first time in 13 seasons.

It’s been quite the season for first-year head coach Mike Elko, who would exceed expectations with a win over the Longhorns but has dealt with plenty of adversity ranging from roster health to penalty issues.

At the same time, Texas has cruised through its first SEC schedule outside of the October home loss to Georgia. However, with everything on the line, the Aggies are playing for everything, while the Longhorns currently have a 97% chance to make the College Football Playoff and will likely be in regardless of the loss.

Playing inside a packed and very loud Kyle Field, here are the three keys to victory for Texas A&M before both teams take the field on Saturday night:

Keep Quinn Ewers/Arch Manning in the pocket:

Yes, Texas quarterback Arch Manning is now in the conversation amid Quinn Ewers’ ankle issues, but it’s expected that Ewers will start. Throughout the season, Ewers has relied on his check-down option while avoiding vertical shots due to pressure in his face, meaning Texas A&M’s defensive line needs to show up on Saturday night.

Defensive ends Nic Scourton and Shemar Stewart are likely off to the NFL next season, but in the overtime loss to Auburn, both players were basically invisible. If the Aggies have any chance at winning, both players, combined with Cashius Howell, Shemar Turner, and Rylan Kennedy, need to wreak havoc in the backfield.

Keep Texas’s passing attack in the middle of the field:

Cover 2 is a popular coverage scheme that has kept explosive offenses from taking the top off the defense. It forces the quarterback to “dink and dunk” down the field and allows defenses to blitz more often. Interestingly enough, Longhorns’ tight end Gunnar Helm leads the team in receptions and receiving yards and has been the most consistent receiver on the roster.

Texas A&M’s secondary has been average to above average for most of the season, mainly due to the lack of continuity and the loss of senior cornerback Tyreek Chappell. However, this is the final game of the regular season, and playing disciplined football while not allowing receivers to leak out for big gains is the key to keeping the Longhorns from blowing the game wide open.

QB Marcel Reed needs to make plays for four straight quarters:

Texas A&M’s defense needs to step up, but if this is going to be a back-and-forth scoring fest, which is possible, Texas A&M’s dual-threat signal caller will need to be the playmaker we saw during the second-half comeback against LSU.

OC Collin Klein’s job is simple: run the ball and set up play-action passes while sprinkling so QB runs when warranted. After calling a relatively poor game in the loss to Auburn, Klein has a lot to prove, so utilizing Reed’s skillset, trusting his arm, and providing easy passing outlets will only elongate the Aggies’ offensive possessions to drive the field.

No. 19 Texas A&M will host No. 3 Texas on Saturday, Nov. 30 at 6:30 pm. CT. The game will air on ABC.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.

Could Texas QB Arch Manning see time against Texas A&M?

Could Texas QB Arch Manning see the field or even start against Texas A&M on Saturday night?

With over 24 hours remaining before No. 20 Texas A&M (8-3, 5-2 SEC) hosts No. 3 Texas (10-1, 6-1 SEC) on Saturday night, rumors regarding Longhorns starting quarterback Quinn Ewers have surfaced regarding the junior’s ankle issues.

According to the last two availability reports, Ewers is listed as “probable,” which gives him a 75% chance to play. However, given his lack of mobility outside the pocket and Texas A&M’s deep defensive line, backup quarterback Arch Manning could vault into the starting lineup or, at the least, replace Ewers mid-game.

While nothing is set in stone until the final injury report is released on Saturday afternoon, Manning’s dual-threat ability could end up hurting the Aggies. The Aggies have struggled against running quarterbacks this season, including the last two SEC losses against South Carolina and Auburn.

In six games this season, Manning has thrown for 939 yards, nine touchdowns, and two interceptions, including two starts against ULM and Mississippi State.

While he is still developing as a passer, Manning is ready to start at nearly every blue-blood program, giving Texas coach Steve Sarkisian a go-to option if needed on Saturday night.

No. 19 Texas A&M will host No. 3 Texas on Saturday, Nov. 30 at 6:30 pm. CT. The game will air on ABC.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.

Arch Manning, Trey Owen – Texas football’s future prepare to take the helm

Arch Manning is set to lead the Texas Longhorns in 2025 as Quinn Ewers eyes the NFL Draft. Discover Manning’s journey and Trey Owens’ rise.

It’s no longer a question of if Arch Manning will take the helm for the Texas Longhorns. It’s when. A viral video from years ago captured a young Manning, proudly sporting a burnt orange Texas shirt, declaring his college choice: “Texas.” That moment came to fruition when Manning officially committed to the Longhorns in 2022.

Manning arrived at the Forty Acres with the understanding he’d play understudy to Quinn Ewers, the sophomore quarterback who has made this team his own. “This is Quinn’s team,” Manning said just weeks ago, acknowledging his current role. But as Ewers eyes the 2025 NFL Draft — where analysts project him as a first- or second-round pick — the focus inevitably shifts to what comes next.

While Ewers’ draft stock isn’t locked into a top-10 spot yet, strong performances in Texas’ remaining games could elevate his position. Even if Ewers leads Texas to an SEC Championship or the College Football Playoff, it’s unlikely he’ll return for his senior season due to the injury risks and his growing NFL potential.

Assuming Ewers departs, Manning will likely make his starting debut on August 30, 2025, in a high-stakes season opener against Ohio State at Buckeye Stadium. While a challenging atmosphere awaits, Manning’s pedigree and preparation inspire confidence. The next question: Who will step up as QB2?

The Rise of Trey Owens

When Manning secures the starting role, Trey Owens is certain to become  the team’s primary backup. The Houston native and Cy-Fair High School graduate brings an impressive résumé. A two-time all-district honoree and All-American Bowl participant, Owens tallied 6,411 passing yards and 81 touchdowns against just 11 interceptions during his high school career.

Owens’ senior season saw him complete 222 of 313 passes for 3,303 yards and 43 touchdowns, earning District 17-6A Offensive MVP honors. His leadership propelled Cy-Fair to an 11-2 record, a district title, and a playoff run. Owens is known for his consistency, poise, and ability to deliver in high-pressure moments, qualities that make him a strong candidate for QB2.

Owens did see a few snaps this year during the UTSA game at DKR. He completed for 19 yards, and completed about half of the passes he threw for. He is still worthy of a start, in the event, Arch is unavailable or needs the rest. After all, he was recruited by Sarkisian for a reason. Just check out his throws in the Spring Game:

What’s Next for Texas Football?

As the Longhorns prepare for a new era, all signs point to Arch Manning becoming the face of the program. But with Trey Owens and a deep quarterback room behind him in the next recruiting class means Texas is building a foundation for long-term success. The future is bright on the Forty Acres, and the SEC will soon see what the Longhorns are made of. It Just Means More.

A legendary Saints quarterback reached out to Darren Rizzi after Falcons win

A legendary Saints QB congratulated Darren Rizzi on beating the Falcons, but he initially thought it was Archie Manning’s famous grandson, not ‘the big dog’ himself:

A legendary former New Orleans Saints quarterback congratulated Darren Rizzi on beating the Falcons, but he initially thought it was Archie Manning’s famous grandson, not Archie himself, texting him on Monday. Rizzi shared the story and his family’s surprising connection with the Mannings when reflecting on his first career win as an NFL head coach.

Plenty of well-wishers reached out after Rizzi ended the Saints’ seven-game losing streak, but he says the message he received from the elder Manning stands out most.

“I got a lot, my favorite one so far is from Archie Manning,” Rizzi grinned. “Archie reached out. And little side story to that, my son Christian who is at the University of Texas, he and Arch are good friends. When I glanced at my phone I thought it was Arch. And then I realized, ‘Oh no, this is from the big dog, this is Archie.’ And so we had a nice correspondence. I really, really appreciated that, that was pretty cool. He was the one who started it all, right?”

Christian Rizzi is a deep snapper for the Longhorns, which isn’t much of a surprise given his father’s history coaching special teams. But their family has crossed paths with the Mannings before, and at times competed in high school football games.

“His grandsons and my sons played against each other, so that was pretty cool,” Rizzi continued.  “I’ve talked to Archie before here at practice and everything. That was pretty nice, a pretty neat text to get.”

It sounds like Manning will be watching when Rizzi leads the Saints into their next game with the Cleveland Browns. Getting out of a 3-7 skid is no small task, but that’s exactly what Rizzi must do to salvage this season. Who knows? Maybe the Saints will be in position to draft the younger Manning in a year or two once he turns pro.

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ABC’s Tessitore shares insight into Texas QB Arch Manning’s team-first mindset

Texas Longhorns Quarterback Arch Manning declined a media interview after a game, according to ABC’s Joe Tessitore.

During the Texas vs. Florida ABC broadcast, Joe Tessitore shared a notable story about Texas freshman quarterback Arch Manning that reflects the young athlete’s humble approach to his role on the team.

According to Tessitore, Manning was offered an opportunity for a post-game interview earlier this season but declined, responding with a comment that underscored his respect for team dynamics. “This is Quinn’s team right now,” Manning said, referring to junior quarterback Quinn Ewers, who currently leads the Longhorns’ offense.

Manning, a highly touted recruit from the renowned Manning family, joined Texas amid significant anticipation from fans and media alike. His decision to defer the spotlight has is praise worthy, illustrating a commitment to teamwork over individual recognition. This is certainly a move backed by the Manning family, very classy.