Happy Arch-iversary! Looking back on Arch Manning's commitment to Texas one year later

Texas is no stranger to high profile recruitments, and what was quite possibly the highest-profile recruitment ever ended one year ago today. 2023 New Orleans (La.) Isidore Newman quarterback Arch Manning, the son of Cooper, nephew of Peyton and Eli, and grandson of Archie, committed to the Texas Longhorns after a buttoned-up recruitment involving the likes of Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Ole Miss, and others.

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It was announced without much fanfare, just a simple tweet following his official visits to Athens, Tuscaloosa, and Austin. Its effect was massive, throwing the recruiting, college football, and even the sports world at large, into a frenzy. Texas, coming off a 5-7 regular season, was the center of attention for all the right reasons.

Committed to the University of Texas. #HookEm pic.twitter.com/jHYbjBaF5K

— Arch Manning (@ArchManning) June 23, 2022

Steve Sarkisian and the rest of his assistant coaches reaped the benefits of the Manning stamp of approval on the Longhorn football program. Several highly touted recruits, even some defensive prospects, joined the fold in the days, weeks, and months following, helping Texas land another top-five class.

And, as Sarkisian said in April, it was not a recruitment influenced by NIL. Texas’ pursuit of the Five-Star Plus+ prospect was a football-centric operation, and the Mannings gave UT their blessing for those reasons.

Manning may not see a lot of playing time in the upcoming season, with Quinn Ewers and Maalik Murphy likely ahead of him on the depth chart. The Manning effect, however, was huge for Texas, Sarkisian, and the football program.

One year later, Inside Texas offers a look back at one of the largest recruiting wins of the 2020s, the 2000s, and ever for Texas.

Eric Nahlin

1. When did you first know about Texas’ interest in Arch Manning?

I don’t remember much about Tom Herman’s interest in Arch. I believe I mentioned Arch a time or two but it was really early. More importantly I knew of the family’s interest in Texas after Arch’s freshman season. That was a key data point that carried through the entire recruitment and truly mattered once Steve Sarkisian was hired.

2. When did it become clear this was a recruitment you knew you had to cover in earnest?

The day Sark was hired I was told about how fond the Mannings were of him and how they viewed him as a top-five play-caller. At that point I felt strongly Texas would land one of Quinn Ewers or Arch Manning.

3. What were your thoughts heading into the official visit process?

The same as heading into the unofficial visits the family treated like official visits the Summer before: Texas was in great shape and the team to beat. Any concern I ever had over the recruitment stemmed from info outside of my circle. Now, that’s good, because you always need to get a handle on what you don’t know, but I felt good about Texas despite the growing chorus of Georgia making a move.

4. What were your thoughts exiting the OVs?

My thoughts were I needed to send a lengthy email to the IT group so we had a plan of action for when he committed. 

5. What gave you confidence even following a 5-7 season?

The finish to the 2022 recruiting class, especially the offensive line, Sark and AJ Milwee’s relationships with the Mannings, and the knowledge that Arch profiled to the school. 

ARCH. MADNESS.@On3Recruits’ No. 1 2023 prospect has committed to Texas!

Story on @InsideTexas #hookem https://t.co/qTcECvLCmB pic.twitter.com/zsEXQpcB6k

— Inside Texas (@InsideTexas) June 23, 2022

Bobby Burton

1. Is Arch Manning the most high-profile recruitment you’ve seen? If not, which one edges it out? If so, why?

First of all, I’m old. So for me it’s one of many I’ve witnessed in my 30 years, including Arch’s uncle Peyton.

Vince Young, Chris Simms, Adrian Peterson, and Arch Manning, those are probably the biggest recruitments I’ve followed as it relates to Texas specifically.

2. You saw Simms. You saw both Mannings. What was unique about this recruitment compared to those others?

The timing of recruiting is so different nowadays. Not everyone knew Peyton Manning would be the No. 1 QB in his class. I didn’t rank him that until after I went to see him early in his senior season. Simms was a little different. But with Arch and his peers, the process has fast-forwarded. We’re talking about and covering high school sophomores and juniors now almost as much as we used to talk about high school seniors 20-to-25 years ago. With Arch, he was a known quantity from his sophomore season on. So there was a whole year and a half that built up to his commitment.

3. Did the Manning commitment say anything about the Longhorn athletic program?

Oh yeah, of course. It was an amazing testament to the Manning family’s belief in Steve Sarkisian as a QB developer coming off of the 5-7 season as a head coach.

4. NIL, especially considering Manning and his On3 Valuation, has long been a topic associated with the recruitment. Steve Sarkisian said no NIL was involved. What do you think that says about Texas under Sarkisian?

Arch is one of the very few young men who was just not going to be tempted by the seven-figure NIL deals that some were throwing around a year ago. His parents are wealthy and his entire family is wealthy. So he had the opportunity to push financial decisions of a sort aside. He could choose where he wanted to go. No outside influence really mattered. The fact that he chose Texas speaks volumes.

5. Did you think Texas was going to be able to win a toe-to-toe recruitment with Alabama and Georgia?

Yes. I’m not one of those guys who is in awe of Nick Saban or Kirby Smart and what each of them have accomplished. Yes, they’ve amassed great talent and won championships. But Texas has won championships and amassed great talent before, too. Plus, Sark was the only offensive-minded head coach of the bunch. I always thought that was kind of interesting.

Justin Wells

1. When you made trips to Isidore Newman before the 2021 season, what was the vibe around Texas?

That Texas was creeping up and was more than just the sneaky pick. Sark hadn’t proven as much as other contenders like Georgia and Alabama, so the budding relationships and vibes were accompanied with a slight bit of apprehension. But you could see it in Arch’s eyes, you could watch it in teammate Will Randle’s smile, you could hear in Isidore Newman head coach Nelson Stewart’s voice, and you could sense it around the Manning family. Texas was on the proper trajectory for this relationship to bloom. 

2. A lot of people in the Manning family had to be sold on Texas, including Nelson Stewart. How did Texas put in a good word with him?

Steve Sarkisian and AJ Milwee met Stewart while at Alabama. When the duo hit Texas, they carried over those connections. Sark and Milwee knew about Arch Manning very early, and once it was normal for him to be recruited, Sark put his foot on the gas and Milwee steered the wheel. Milwee might have to pay state taxes in Louisiana for the amount of time he spent on this recruitment. Him and Stewart have a relationship like family now. 

3. Texas recruited Will Randle like a priority, not a toss-in. How big of an impact was that?

I think the impact was minimal. I think it was more impactful when Texas separated their recruitments. Once Jeff Banks started showing up in New Orleans and focusing on the multi-sport athlete, Randle and his family were sold on the opportunities in Austin. Being Arch’s favorite target was just a bonus. 

4. How much did AJ Milwee factor into this recruitment?

A ton. Texas really sells itself. Austin, UT, the hill country, it’s easy to see why it’s growing at such a rapid rate. Sarkisian having developed superstars and implemented his offensive systems successfully at previous stops was also a big factor. But Milwee’s dedication was unmatched. Standing on the Greenie sidelines as much as allowed, Milwee was huge with Stewart, the Mannings, and Isidore Newman. This recruitment required a family effort. Milwee did that and more.

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Gerry Hamilton

1. You’ve been around for high-profile, legacy, everyone-in-the-country-is-interested recruitments. What was unique about Arch Manning’s?

The Mannings are the first family of football for me. Never covered a recruitment in which Nick Saban talked to Archie Manning and family. Steve Sarkisian spoke with Archie, Peyton, Eli and Cooper about Arch throughout the process, and the same goes for Georgia. That alone makes this one different to start.

Then there is the way the Mannings handled the process. Arch’s first tweet ever was a commitment. That’s beyond rare, obviously. There was the way they treated the summer prior to junior year like an official visit process. Then going through the same process prior to his commitment. There was a uniformed, extremely organized plan with the recruitment – and it had to be that way.

Isidore Newman had to be very guarded with who they let into the school and around the program and practice field. The school knew they couldn’t let the recruitment turn into a circus, and they did a great job. It was as organized of a recruitment as I have been around. 

2. What sets him apart as a prospect? Physical ability? Pedigree? Processing?

Pedigree, but worth ethic with it. He takes football very seriously. Arch is a player that is going to do everything he can to maximize his ability. His talent and frame are headed in that direction. He has the ability to get on the board and draw up and explain coverages in a very advanced way. He has a quick release that is second to none. He’s going to be technically advanced, of course, but under duress he still has a feel for making the correct play. That includes throwing a ball into the stands to live for another play. Any questions about his arm strength are laughable. Steve Sarkisian only recruits QBs that can make “all the throws.” All the throws are required to play quarterback in his schemes and in the NFL. End of discussion. 

3. Georgia and Alabama are formidable foes. What did it say about Texas to win that recruitment?

I’m going to be real here: if Arch was a 2019 recruit, he would have gone to Alabama. Nick Saban wouldn’t give Archie Manning a guarantee he would be coaching at Alabama through Arch’s entire college career. That probably surprises some people that Saban wouldn’t say yes, but that was real talk. For me, it was a huge stamp of approval for Steve Sarkisian at Texas. To have the Manning family sign off on Arch going to Texas was huge for the future of the program. Texas literally beat out three teams in Georgia, Alabama and Clemson that have won seven of the last eight National Championships. That’s an amazing stamp of approval for Steve Sarkisian. 

4. How would you assess the impact it made with others in the class? It seems like there were other recruitments that needed Arch for Texas to be able to get over the finish line.

There is no doubt it was impactful with Johntay Cook, Anthony Hill, the Colton Vasek eventual flip, and the group of offensive linemen. All these guys want their own day and their own individual attention leading up to their decision, but there was definitely an impact with Arch Manning committing to Texas. Plus, the Arch effect will really begin in 2024. 

Ian Boyd

1. What makes Arch Manning a fit for the Sarkisian offense?

Arch is a terrific pocket passing prospect, which is the name of the game for Sark. Texas’ head man wants to line up deep shots and have his quarterback play off the run game by stretching the field throwing to speed.

2. What traits did he show at Newman that, despite the competition level in lower tier LHSAA, indicated he was going to be a special player?

Manning in high school played with a lot of anticipation and command of the game, attacking defenses with accurate throws thrown to receivers on the move.

3. What were some aspects of the offense that you saw from Newman that will translate to Texas?

Newman asked Manning to throw down the field like he will at Texas, to throw to moving targets, and they also had him execute a fair number of dropback/progression plays which are pretty advanced for that level.

4. Would he be a fit for any offense (not Navy, obviously)?

Arch is actually fairly mobile and could probably make any system work because he can throw on the move and mix in some option running. There’s no doubt that his development and future are more oriented around working from the pocket, which makes Sark a better fit than another program that wants to run the quarterback.

Paul Wadlington

1. What was the most exhilarating part of the Manning recruitment from your perspective?

It was strong validation for Sark’s ability to sell his vision for the program and Manning’s role in it despite some major headwinds and a very strong list of suitors. Unlikely that Texas lands a Top 5 class without his pull and hype. 

2. What does it say to you that a Texas program coming off 5-7 was able to win that battle over Nick Saban and National Champion Georgia?

It says they matched their pitch perfectly to an open-minded prospect who was already positively disposed towards Texas, trusted the feedback they were getting and pursued Manning all-in despite the risk of not landing their #1 guy and botching a key position. Pursuing Arch may have been seen as folly given Sark’s rough 1st year contrasted to the hides on the wall at Alabama and Georgia, but it’s clear that UT saw that Manning was legitimately interested in blazing his own trail and respected Sark as a developer. It’s also a tacit stamp of approval from Manning Inc, who are effectively football royalty. 

3. What could Manning allow Sarkisian to do with the offense when he gets into the game?

He’s a skilled QB with good athleticism and size and a very high mental eval. What he can actually do on the college level remains to be seen. Time to bury Arch The Recruit and reckon with Arch the 3rd String QB trying to compete for a job just like every other player.