Colt McCoy excited for future of Texas with Arch Manning at QB

Former Texas quarterback Colt McCoy is eager for the future of the Longhorns when Arch Manning inevitably takes over. The top prospect from 2023 was elevated to No. 2 on the depth chart as a true freshman with Maalik Murphy entering the NCAA transfer portal.

All signs indicate Manning taking over in 2024 or having to do battle with Quinn Ewers once again if the latter returns. Either way, Manning could develop into one of the best college quarterbacks based on history and his pedigree to this point.

That’s the way McCoy sees it.

“I’ve been around Arch quite a bit,” McCoy said on Pardon My Take. “Going back to spring practices like I remember when I was helping sort of like recruit him to UT. Now listen, I’m not taking any credit for that at all. I just was around a little bit. He was so much more prepared and ready and mature then I was when I came on campus.

“He’s got the script as he’s watching practice. He’s not even on campus yet. He hasn’t even signed yet. But he knows the formations, he knows the shifts and the motions, he knows the protection, like the dude is really, really smart. He’s mature. And I know he’s worked really hard.” 

Manning only appeared in two games this season and even if he plays in the CFP semifinals and national championship, he’d be right at the four-game limit and preserve a year of eligibility.

“You know, I’m thankful that he got a redshirt,” McCoy said. “Thankfully he got to play a little bit. I’m very bullish on him like I’m high on him because I know the character that he has, you know, the family situation. Like he’s seen elite level quarterbacking his whole life, starting with his grandpa.” 

McCoy then gave an interesting recruiting comparison with former Texas quarterback Garrett Gilbert.

“I just don’t want to compare Arch Manning with Garrett Gilbert,” McCoy said. “Okay, but when I was in school, love Garrett Gilbert, had a nice career. But he never lost the game in high school. He was right in Lake Travis, right in the backyard like he was crowned as king before he ever got on campus. And the moment he threw a pick or two or they lost a couple home games, it was like everyone turned on him. It wasn’t necessarily his fault, right? But the expectations are just astronomical.” 

Expectations? Yup, that sounds like someone with the last name Manning.

“And I sense a little bit of that with Arch although I think Arch has a very good head on his shoulders,” McCoy said. “I think he’s gonna handle it all well. Like, I know he wants to play and he’s got a chance to sit and watch Quinn. … So he’s got a good picture of what it’s supposed to look like and whenever he gets his chance, I know that this year will be very, I’ve told him I said the best thing that ever happened to me was redshirting. 

“I know it’s not that cool to do and it sucks and it’s like, especially in this day and age, but like I’m just telling you it was the best thing that ever happened to me.”