Arch Manning, the highly-touted quarterback and nephew of NFL legends Eli and Peyton Manning, is entering his second season as a Texas Longhorn. Despite starting the year behind Quinn Ewers on the depth chart, the young quarterback has made it clear that transferring was never on the table.
During a recent episode of The Paul Finebaum Show, concerns about Manning’s satisfaction with his role at Texas were put to rest. A caller inquired about the possibility of Manning feeling frustrated and potentially considering a transfer. ESPN analyst Paul Finebaum quickly shut down those speculations.
“Manning had every opportunity to leave, but he chose to stay,” Finebaum said. “I’ve been down to Austin twice recently, and the consensus is that Arch Manning is fully committed to the Longhorns’ program.”
If Manning were unhappy with his situation, it would have been logical for him to explore other options before the transfer window closed. Instead, the former five-star recruit reaffirmed his dedication to the Texas football program, noting that his decision to stay was driven by his passion for the school and the sport.
“It’s tough not being out there with the team,” Manning told The Athletic’s Larry Holder last month. “But there’s no other place I’d rather be. It’s been a dream of mine to play for Texas, and I’m sticking to it. My time will come.”
Finebaum’s remarks also suggest that Manning’s commitment might be fueled by the possibility of him stepping into the starting quarterback role sooner rather than later. In June, Finebaum confidently predicted that Manning would take over as the Longhorns’ starting quarterback before the 2024 season ends.
“That’s going to be Arch Manning,” Finebaum asserted when asked who would finish the season as Texas’ QB1. “No need to dance around it-that’s a sure thing.”
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Manning as he continues to develop and await his chance to lead the Longhorns. For now, fans can rest assured that the young quarterback is right where he wants to be.
