The path to playing time could get difficult for Arch Manning in his sophomore season, with Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers leaning toward a return — something that has “increased exponentially in the past few weeks,” according to ESPN — for 2024.
And if Ewers opts to return for a fourth collegiate season when he makes a final decision, Manning will have to weigh whether to serve as the backup for a national title contender or transfer to another school where he could start as a sophomore.
He could make a decision as soon as next week, according to ESPN, due to the impact his decision could have on the Longhorns landing recruits from the transfer portal, which has a fall transfer segment that officially begins on Dec. 4.
Ewers has thrown for 2,709 yards, 17 touchdowns and five interceptions this season, guiding Texas to an 11-1 record and a date with Oklahoma State in the Big 12 title game to keep the Longhorns’ College Football Playoff hopes alive.
They’d likely need Alabama and Florida State to lose in the SEC and ACC title games, respectively, to have a chance at earning the fourth spot, but Oregon’s loss in the Pac-12 title game — paired with Ohio State stuck at 11-1 and not playing this weekend — certainly helped Texas.
Ewers spent his first season with Ohio State and didn’t log a snap, but he transferred to Texas for 2022 and started 10 games for the Longhorns.
During that time, Manning, the No. 5 recruit in ESPN’s Class of 2023 and No. 1 in 247Sports’ composite rankings, committed to Steve Sarkisian’s program, but he didn’t win the starting job, didn’t win the backup job and then didn’t even play when Ewers missed two games due to a shoulder injury.
Manning reportedly flashed potential with a lengthy touchdown run during a preseason scrimmage, and when he made his official debut on Nov. 24 against Texas Tech, the nephew of former NFL quarterbacks Peyton and Eli Manning completed 2 of 5 passes for 30 yards.
But that was just a cameo in the fourth quarter, the result of the Longhorns’ latest blowout win already secured.
If Ewers returns for 2024, which would mark Texas’ first season in the SEC after shifting through conference realignment, Manning’s windows to impress pro scouts might occur during similar appearances.
And speculation surrounding his transfer will only increase if Ewers — who ESPN reported could emerge in discussions for being the No. 1 overall pick in 2025 — ends up returning.