ESPN defends Arch Manning amid spring game criticisms

Arch Manning received criticism during Texas’ spring game when he made his debut. The No. 1 prospect in the Class of 2023 made his much anticipated first throw in a Texas uniform but he had an uneven performance.

However, ESPN evaluated the overreactions from the spring portion of the college football offseason. One of them was Manning couldn’t contribute this season and it was a lot of hype.

However, ESPN defended Manning after his spring game performance.

“Manning was often playing with backups and several other freshmen, and only coach Steve Sarkisian knows the plan for what he hoped to show off in the spring game,” ESPN’s Dave Wilson wrote. “Manning spent most of the day on the move: On his 20 dropbacks, he was sacked four times (including three times on his last drive), scrambled three times for 15 yards and was hurried three more times on the 13 occasions in which he actually got rid of the ball. 

“(Quinn) Ewers was sacked three times, but on 27 dropbacks with zero hurries, and (Maalik) Murphy wasn’t sacked or hurried. The freshman could take his lumps, but there’s not much to judge off this one performance, until he gets to play with the line and receivers his counterparts do.”

Ewers is the starting quarterback this season, according to Sarkisian. That doesn’t mean Manning won’t see time this year.

As long as he performs well in the offseason and fall camp, he could be the bonafide No. 2 quarterback this year.

“I thought it was good,” Sarkisian said of Manning’s play in the spring game. “His first play was a pass. He threw a completion, kinda get the jitters out. I’m sure there’s still some. This I think is just his second series so far. He’s got a lot more series in his career to go. I thought he made a good decision there on first down to tuck it and get positive yards.”

If Manning struggled with the starters, then there could be cause for concern. But again, Manning just arrived on campus after enrolling early.

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As a member of the Class of 2023, Manning was a five-star recruit out of New Orleans (La.) Isidore Newman, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 1 overall prospect in the state, the No. 1 quarterback in the class and the No. 1 overall prospect in the class.