Bruce Feldman explains how Texas landed Arch Manning

Most college football fans once believed Arch Manning, the No. 1 QB and player in the On3 Consensus for the 2023 recruiting class, would follow family members to the SEC. Alas, he spurned several schools with familial ties to head to a future-SEC program in Texas. Recently, college football insider Bruce Feldman joined the Rich Eisen Show to discuss why the Longhorns appealed to the youngest Manning so much. And also, how his arrival has impacted Texas’ recruiting as a whole. Here were his comments in full regarding Manning’s pledge to Texas:

“Steve Sarkisian has a really good reputation as an offensive mind and for working with quarterbacks and receivers. That school did a really good job of getting Arch comfortable. I think like all these boys — whether it’s Peyton wanting to go to Tennessee and then Eli not wanting to follow his big brother — and ended up going to Ole Miss where his dad went. I think in the case here, you have somebody going ‘you know what? This feels different. It feels like it could be a really good opportunity.”

Feldman believes Manning wanted a school to call his own among family members. To make his own mark. Then the insider revealed that his commitment may help secure others for the Longhorns.

“I think the interesting with this is already it’s had a big ripple effect with other recruits who jumped on board because Arch Manning has committed to Texas. And now, some big time receivers have decided [they] want to go play with him. So we’ll see how much better Texas can get before they get to the SEC.”

Bruce Feldman believes the move has consequences far beyond just Manning himself.

Paul Finebaum also highlights recruiting impact of Manning

On a recent radio appearance with Greg McElroy and Cole Cubelic, Paul Finebaum claimed that the Manning commitment is one of the biggest in college football history, particularly among quarterbacks. Plus, other recruits are going to want to play with a passer of Manning’s caliber.

“I think the pressure would’ve been intense without an Arch Manning commitment. I think it’s a shot in the arm — I think it gives [Sarkisian] time to get his players in there, and I think he is doing that. Overall, I think this is the most significant quarterback commitment — I wanna say in the SEC although I realize Texas isn’t in the SEC. But I think it’s the most significant quarterback commitment since Tim Tebow went to Florida a generation and a half ago.”

“I truly believe it is a game changer not only for Sarkisian, but I think it’s a game changer for other players who have been waiting to see what Arch Manning was going to do. And now they know where he’ll be and they’ll want to be with him.”

Sarkisian landed the King of the Pond in the 2023 class. Perhaps this monumental catch is only just the beginning of a busy next six months on the recruiting trail. Texas is back in the game.