Arch Manning admits he was 'probably pretty annoying' as Quinn Ewers' backup

Arch Manning is many things to many people. The former No. 1 overall recruit in 2023, Texas‘ expected starting quarterback, is the Manning heir apparent. But above all, the Longhorns sophomore QB is cognizant of all the attention his famous surname brings with it, as well as its potential impact on his teammates.

During a roughly 13-minute media availability Thursday, Arch Manning acknowledged how his pseudo-celebrity status. The latest Manning progeny was “probably pretty annoying” for those around him the past two seasons, especially for former Texas starting QB Quinn Ewers.

“He’s just been so good to me over the years, it’s probably pretty annoying having me as a backup, just with all the media stuff,” Manning told the assembled press Thursday in Austin. “But he handled it like a champ.”

Arch Manning talked about waiting his turn and what it's like dealing with the attention that comes with being him. @SpectrumNews1TX pic.twitter.com/mv6Ct4LH4E

— Travis Recek (@TravisRecek) April 10, 2025

As the much-ballyhooed grandson of legendary Ole Miss and New Orleans Saints QB Archie Manning and nephew to former SEC and NFL superstars Eli and Peyton Manning, Arch Manning is still adjusting to his status as Texas’ new sheriff in town. But while his role as the yet-to-be-named Longhorns’ QB1 might be new, the attention and fame that generally comes with it is hardly unfamiliar territory.

In fact, in the midst of his third Spring in Austin, Arch Manning has built himself a reliable friend group. That keeps him grounded amid the constant barrage of selfie requests whenever he walks The Forty Acres.

“That’s been tough, but I think I have good people to lean on for that type of stuff,” Manning continued. “But I can’t quit doing normal things. Like, I’m going to go eat dinner with my buddies and be a normal college kid.”

Arch Manning on not transferring from Texas: ‘Sometime things are worth the wait’

After two years of waiting in the wings, the Arch Manning Era is officially here. On Thursday, the redshirt sophomore QB explained why he opted to remain in Austin despite a multi-year wait to become Texas’ No. 1 signal-caller.

“It was tough. I mean, it’s tough in this age,” Manning said. “But, I hope it pays off. Like I said, there’s nowhere else I want to be. I want to be at Texas. I got friends here. I love this place. I wanted to be the quarterback at the University of Texas. Sometimes it’s worth the wait.”

Manning has paid his dues, including appearing in just in two games in 2023, working himself in as the ‘Horns third-stringer behind Ewers and Maalik Murphy. Following Murphy’s transfer to Duke last offseason, Manning became Ewers’ backup, accounting for a combined 1,047 total yards and 13 touchdowns while appearing in 10 games in 2024, including two spot-starts in place on an injured Ewers.

Now, with two years of experience under his belt, Manning is prepared to lead to Longhorns to new heights. And Steve Sarkisian couldn’t be more thankful for Manning’s loyalty.

“I’m excited for him,” Sarkisian said on the Clean Pocket podcast. “He’s been patient. How many people have come after him from other schools to get him to transfer? He’s stayed the course and stayed true to his word, so we’re pumped about him.

“This guy has got a charismatic, some ‘it’ about him,” Sarkisian added. “You can feel it. That’s not a knock against Quinn. Everybody leads differently. He’s got something about him that guys gravitate to. That’s always a great thing to have as a quarterback.”

— On3’s Grant Grubbs contributed to this report.