Arch Manning could have gone anywhere.
As the crown jewel of the 2023 recruiting class and the heir to one of football’s most legendary bloodlines, Manning had his pick of premier programs. Georgia. Alabama. LSU. Notre Dame. Ole Miss. The offers flooded in. But from the moment he committed to the University of Texas, Arch made one thing clear: this wasn’t just a stop on the way to the NFL — this was home.
And even though he hasn’t yet taken the reins of the Longhorns offense, Manning’s recent comments suggest he’s just fine playing the long game.
“There’s nowhere else I want to be. I want to be the quarterback at the University of Texas,” Manning said during spring camp. “Sometimes it’s worth the wait.”
In an era defined by instant gratification and constant player movement, Manning’s words — and his patience — stand out.
Choosing the Longhorns
The decision to commit to Texas in the summer of 2022 sent shockwaves through college football. Manning was the No. 1 overall prospect in the country, and many believed he would follow in his family’s footsteps at Ole Miss or Tennessee. Instead, he chose Steve Sarkisian’s up-and-coming Longhorns — a program still searching for consistency in the post-Mack Brown era.
It was a bold move. Texas was still two seasons away from joining the SEC. The team had posted just one double-digit win season since 2009. But Manning saw something in the program that others didn’t — a vision, a plan, and a coach who believed in developing quarterbacks the right way.
“Coach Sark has done it before. He knows how to get quarterbacks ready for the next level,” Manning said after committing. “I trust him and the staff. I want to build something here.”
That vision has slowly started to take shape. Under Sarkisian, Texas won 12 games in 2024, claimed a Big 12 title, and reached the College Football Playoff. With the move to the SEC officially here in 2025, the Longhorns are no longer a rebuilding program — they’re a national contender.
And yet, Arch Manning remains in the shadows, waiting.
A Star Waiting in the Wings
When Manning arrived in Austin, the starting job belonged to Quinn Ewers — a fellow five-star quarterback and transfer from Ohio State who had already earned the trust of Sarkisian. Ewers returned for the 2024 season and led Texas to the Playoff, solidifying his hold on QB1.
In today’s landscape, most five-star quarterbacks who don’t start right away hit the portal. But not Arch.
Despite appearing in only a handful of games and preserving his redshirt in 2023, and then backing up Ewers again in 2024, Manning has kept his focus on development. No public complaints. No cryptic tweets. No rumors of transferring.
“He’s a worker,” said Texas offensive coordinator Kyle Flood. “He’s been all in from the start. He’s taken every rep seriously. He’s stayed engaged and continued to improve.”
That improvement was on display during Texas’ 2025 spring game, where Manning showed off his polished mechanics, deep-ball accuracy, and poise under pressure. Though he’s still technically behind Ewers on the depth chart, many believe Manning’s time is coming — and fast.
Embracing the Process
For Arch, the journey is as important as the destination. His grandfather, Archie Manning, and uncles, Peyton and Eli, all took different paths to NFL stardom. But one thing they shared was a deep understanding of the position — a level of mastery that only comes through reps, patience, and a commitment to the process.
Arch has taken that lesson to heart.
“I’ve learned a lot watching Quinn,” he said. “I’ve learned from the coaches, from being in the film room, from practice. Every day I’m getting better.”
Sarkisian echoed that sentiment.
“Arch is exactly who we thought he’d be — a smart, driven, humble player who wants to be great,” Sarkisian said. “He’s never once asked for anything to be handed to him. He just works.”
That maturity has made him a leader even before officially becoming the starter. Teammates describe him as steady, focused, and unselfish — the kind of presence that commands respect.
“He’s got that quiet confidence,” said wide receiver Johntay Cook II. “You know when he steps on the field, he’s going to make something happen. But he’s not flashy about it. He just grinds.”
Staying the Course
The pressure to transfer is real. According to the NCAA, more than 2,000 FBS players entered the transfer portal during the last two cycles. Former five-star quarterbacks like DJ Uiagalelei, Spencer Rattler, and Caleb Williams all changed schools in search of better fits or quicker paths to playing time.
But Arch Manning isn’t built like that.
“I committed to Texas for a reason,” he said. “It wasn’t just about playing right away. It was about being part of something special. That hasn’t changed.”
That kind of loyalty is rare. And it speaks to a bigger trend within the Texas program — one where competition doesn’t divide, it strengthens.
“We’ve built a culture here where guys want to compete,” Sarkisian said. “They understand that development takes time. That’s how you build depth. That’s how you build a championship team.”
Eyes on the Future
With Ewers potentially entering the 2025 NFL Draft, the path could soon be clear for Manning to take over as QB1. And when that time comes, there will be no shortage of expectations.
He will be expected to lead Texas into the SEC gauntlet. He will be expected to win big games. He will be expected to live up to the family name.
But Manning isn’t flinching.
“Pressure is a privilege,” he said with a shrug. “You want that. You want to be in that position.”
The signs are there. The arm talent. The football IQ. The leadership. The patience. The hunger. Manning has all the tools to become the next great Texas quarterback — and he’s waited long enough.
Final Thoughts
In a college football world spinning faster every year — with NIL, the transfer portal, and realignment rewriting the rules — Arch Manning represents something refreshingly old-school.
He chose a school. He committed to a plan. He stayed the course.
And now, the reward is within reach.
“It’s worth the wait to be the quarterback at Texas,” he said, smiling. “It just is.”
Soon, that wait will be over.
And when it is, don’t be surprised if the Longhorns — and their long-patient quarterback — are ready to take center stage.