EXCLUSIVE: As the Arch Manning era dawns for Texas, he explains why he waited his turn
For the second year in a row, all Texas backup quarterback Arch Manning could do was watch as the Longhorns came up painfully short in the final moments of a College Football Playoff semifinal game. Each time, one play decided the fate of his burnt orange teammates. Each time, he didn’t have a say in how it went down.
Now, his one snap on Friday in the 28-14 loss to Ohio State proved to be a pivotal fourth down conversion in the first half, but the overall fate of Texas’ chances to move on to the national championship was in the hands of his predecessor, Quinn Ewers.
Next year, that won’t be the case.
With Texas getting a glimpse of his highly anticipated presence in Austin earlier this season when Ewers missed games with an oblique strain, the excitement is only building for what the next man in line in the first family of football can bring to the Longhorns in 2025.
While some may be ready to move on, he sat alone at his locker after the game. Emotion on his face, he reflected on a sophomore season that he knows he won’t get back.
“I don’t think I’m going to start focusing on next season until probably next week,” Manning told the Star-Telegram exclusively postgame. “I’m just so grateful to be a part of it these past two years to play with these seniors.”
After Ewers decided to come back for a fourth season last year, some speculated that Manning sould look elsewhere for his future, and he would’ve had every right. As one of the highest-rated recruits of all-time, he waited a year behind a starter and had shown flashes of his ability in limited action. By all measures, he was ready for the spotlight.
But, a lot like how Manning’s calculated recruitment played out, the plan was always in place. He was going to sit and wait his turn, however long it took.
Why?
“The class we go out with, the brotherhood, the culture,” he said on why he’s remained loyal to Texas. “And It’s something I want to keep moving forward ... I’m confident in our coaches and our culture. I hope we can keep this thing going. I’m excited for the future, for sure.”
Before moving onto the future, Manning’s visible emotions centered around the player that’s been attached to his story since the day he stepped foot on The Forty Acres in Austin.
As Ewers heads into the unknown of entering his name into the NFL Draft, all Manning can do is reflect on his time with a fellow quarterback that he now considers one of his best friends.
“He’s been everything for me,” Manning said. “One thing I will say about Quinn, he’s got me more into my faith in times of adversity and when times are not going your way. That’s one thing I’m gonna always going to be thankful for, that he’s done that for me.”
Even if he largely remained in the shadows for two years, Manning takes a lot of pride in what Texas has accomplished since his arrival. Knowing that an opportunity to get the Longhorns over their newest road bump waits for him in 2025, he will have even more pressure on his shoulders to live up to the new standard in Austin.
“I think anytime you can be the last four teams standing, it’s something to be proud about,” he said. “I know a lot of teams out here, this is their goal. We’ve been this close the last two years, it’s been a blessing to be a part of this with such great coaches and such great players.”
Even if he is even-keeled about the torch being passed to his right hand, his teammates speak for him. Even after a loss as devastating as Friday’s, knowing that a Manning will be under center the next time Texas takes the field can still draw a few smiles.
“Playing with Arch next year, it will be a fun journey,” freshman wide receiver Ryan Wingo said.
“I love Arch,” running back Cedric Baxter Jr. said. “He’s a natural leader. Him being the quarterback on top of that helps a lot...There’s a lot he can offer. He’s very talented. He’s very smart, a student of the game.”
The Arch Manning era has arrived. With so many seniors hitting the door of graduation, it’s easy to understand why confidence still remains that Manning can get Texas back to this stage, and potentially beyond.
“Very confident,” Baxter said. “We’ll get back to this point and win,” Wingo said.
This story was originally published January 11, 2025 at 12:05 AM.
