Steve Sarkisian delivers realistic check on Arch Manning’s youth

Any Five-Star Plus+ quarterback is going to attract attention. Any quarterback with the last name Manning is going to attract attention. Combine those two together and you have Arch Manning, somebody who made national news by committing and signing to play for the Texas Longhorns. A huge recruiting win for Steve Sarkisian, especially after a 5-7 season.

All of the hype came crashing back to reality during Texas’ spring game. Manning struggled mightily with the third team, throwing for just 30 yards on five of 13 passing. A tough outing, even for somebody experiencing game-like action at the college level for the first time.

Sarkisian wants to add context to the situation though. Manning was an early enrollee at Texas, giving him a head start with spring practice. Had he not been ahead academically, he would still be at Isidore Newman, participating in high school activities like the rest of us did.

“I feel like I needed to remind everybody — in our spring game, the guy should have been at the Senior Car Wash raising money for prom or something,” Sarkisian said via the Always College Football podcast with ESPN’s Greg McElroy. “He still should have been in high school at that game. It was invaluable experience for him to be with us and to get a lot of that newness out.”

Sarkisian described Manning as “normal” even if the outside world begs to differ. There will be expectations for him on the field. Being a Manning and following in the footsteps of Peyton, Eli, and to an extent, Archie, is no easy task.

Balance is the key according to Sarkisian, something Manning will develop over time.

“He’s a normal guy with us and he’s a normal guy with himself and in and around the building,” Sarkisian said. “But for everybody else, when you carry the name, it comes with those expectations. So, I think for him to realize how to balance those types of things.”

Manning will not be the starter for Texas this season. Sarkisian definitively put those conversations to be in April by naming Quinn Ewers the starter. That’s not something people should be surprised by as Ewers was the guy at the beginning of the 2022 season.

You will not find Manning in the backup role to begin the year either. Maalik Murphy will sit behind Ewers, waiting his turn to play if something pops up. Talking about spring game performances, Murphy performed well and impressed those across the country.

Point being — this is just the beginning for Manning. A special future is ahead but for now, learning the ropes and getting comfortable with the college game. Manning’s time will come eventually and Sarkisian believes in his success.

“He’s on a great trajectory for us,” Sarkisian said. “He’s going to be a really good player for the University of Texas, a great leader.”