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Colt McCoy breaks down expectations as a Texas QB, how things are different for Arch Manning

IMG_0985by:Griffin McVeigh•06/26/23•

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Colt McCoy
(Darren Carroll /Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)

There might not be a more pressure-filled position in college football than the starting quarterback at the University of Texas. Just ask Colt McCoy, a four-year starter who followed the legendary Vince Young. He was just a three-star recruit out of Tuscola, TX, and eventually enjoyed a ton of success during his time in Austin.

Arch Manning is going to be experiencing a different kind of pressure, though. With how the Texas program has fared over the past decade, people are ready to win. Especially with a move to the SEC on the horizon — a year Manning could become the Longhorns’ starter.

Factor in Manning being ranked the No. 1 overall recruit per the On3 Industry Rankings and McCoy calls the quarterback’s expectations “crazy.”

“I think Texas is really starving to win 10 games again,” McCoy said on the Green Light podcast with Chris Long. “All of a sudden, they get the No. 1 recruit in the country. Only other time they’ve done that was when they got Vince Young. The expectations for (Manning) on campus, I’m sure, are crazy. That’s not necessarily fair to him.”

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McCoy had quite a different experience. He told a story about going to get BBQ a few days before Texas’ 2009 season opener against Louisiana-Monroe. Taking a picture and having it hung up on the wall nearly cost him the first half — even if he knew the result was never in question.

“I almost got suspended for a half,” McCoy said. “Two nights before my first game of my senior year. We’re ranked really high, expectation are high. I know we’re going to beat whoever we play the first game but I am sweating bullets thinking like — I may not get to play the first half of the first game of my senior year. Now, you look at what’s going on. It’s completely different.”

Post-college, McCoy has not found a way to capitalize on his name, image, and likeness with Texas. Even if he will forever be remembered as a legend on the 40 Acres.

“They’re still selling my jerseys on campus,” McCoy said. “I haven’t seen any money yet.”