Well, a big name might open doors, but it won’t move the chains. From Archie’s foundational work to Peyton and Eli’s achievements, the Manning family has a rich history of football. And now, Arch Manning carries the weight of his own football journey. But a cannon arm and a family name don’t get you there. It’s the hustle and constant grind that do. Now that Texas hands him the keys and analysts see the makings of a star, the question that pops in everyone’s mind is: Does Arch Manning have what it takes to be a leader?
We all know that Arch Manning is at least a year away from fielding questions at the NFL Combine. But even then, his talent and skills made waves through this year’s combine. All thanks to his teammates and especially his wide receivers, Matthew Golden and Isaiah Bond, who are turning pro this season. Now, not only are the guys rooting high for him to take Texas’s future to another height this season, but also landing him a vote of confidence over the expertise Arch brings to the table. And Fox Sports analyst RJ Young couldn’t agree more with it.
Young said, “I think looking at Arch Manning, though, the thing that was shocking to me was Matthew Golden goes out there and runs 4.3 in the 40, turns around, and says, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a quarterback with the wheels that Arch Manning has.” Isiah Bond, fresh from Alabama and now a Longhorn WR, dropped a similar thought: “He’s [Arch Manning] an amazing thrower, but what shocked me the most is that he can run.” RJ Young’s picking up on that—“Isaiah Bond, same thing. He’s like, Look, we’ve seen the art and talent. You see the art and talent. You know the man can spin it, but I was shocked to find out just how fast Arch is because he’s not a small guy; he’s a big dude running.” That’s a fact.
Credits: Imago
Arch Manning did more than just observe from the sidelines last season—he stepped up and delivered when Texas needed him. In place of the injured Quinn Ewers, the redshirt freshman capitalized on his opportunities, demonstrating that he is more than just a well-known surname. Standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing 225 pounds, he possesses the physicality to withstand hits and the arm strength to make impactful throws. Manning amassed 939 yards, nine touchdowns, and only two interceptions while completing close to 68% of his passes.
Beyond his passing ability, Arch Manning also showcased his running skills, accumulating 108 rushing yards and four touchdowns, including an impressive 67-yard scoring run against UTSA—the longest by a Texas quarterback since Vince Young’s memorable plays in 2005. Now no FBS or NFL quarterback in the past 25 years has achieved what he did in that game: throwing a touchdown pass over 75 yards, scoring a touchdown run of 65-plus yards, and launching another 50-yard bomb—all in one game. What’s remarkable is that he wasn’t even a starter.
Coming in for Quinn Ewers, Arch Manning wasted no time carving up the defense. He went 9-for-12, tossed four touchdowns, and racked up 223 yards through the air, all while tacking on a 67-yard sprint to the house. Now, you can understand why his teammates and RJ Young think he can be a real game changer for Steve Sarkisian’s team. As Young said, “Given that Manning is in his element, really, we’re about to see him at his peak.” Now Manning + Sark? CFB’s about to witness something big.
Steve Sarkisian’s faith in Arch Manning’s skills
Arch Manning steps into the Texas QB1 position with a family legacy as weighty as a blitzing linebacker. With Quinn Ewers heading to the NFL, it’s now Arch’s turn to lead the team in Austin. His talent is undeniable, and he possesses all the necessary tools. However, how Texas decides to utilize him could be crucial in determining his success.
But after facing a lot of heat over an inconsistent QB depth, Steve Sarkisian sees the pieces falling into place. “We’re watching him, in winter workouts and offseason stuff, really becoming the leader of the team, like the quarterback has to be, and he’s got such a great personality that I think his teammates really respond to him. … I think things are off to a really good start for him, and we’ve got a pretty good football team around him, which I think is important, too,” Sark said.
But there’s a wrinkle in the plan!
Now Manning’s running ability sets him apart from other pocket passers. No doubt! But Greg McElroy, a former Alabama quarterback and current ESPN analyst, questions Sarkisian’s approach. McElroy pointed out: “Sark, most of his career, has utilized a dropback passing attack. I don’t know if he’s ever really utilized it as a core principle of his offense, the quarterback run, designed quarterback run.”
So, will Sarkisian take full advantage of Manning’s mobility, or will he keep him locked in the pocket? That remains a big question. But if we go by RJ Young’s verdict, Steve Sarkisian is doing a fine job. “I think right now, given the roster and given that Steve Sarkisian is taking his time letting guys rest up, not really putting him through the kind of spring practice that he had even in the year past because, well, it was a long season and they’ve been to the playoff a couple of times, and knowing that you have it here to take the SEC by storm in 2025, they’re going to be really freaking good…given that Manning is in his element and we’re about to see him at his peak, I think we’re only getting started with that,” Young said.
Texas isn’t hosting a spring game, which automatically puts Arch Manning on a safer side in terms of injuries. Now that everything is finally going Sarkisian’s way, let’s see how things turn out for them this season.
The post Fox Analyst Confirms Stance on Arch Manning’s Texas Fate After Steve Sarkisian’s Honest Assessment Turns Heads appeared first on EssentiallySports.
