Laken Litman
School Soccer & Soccer Analyst
DALLAS – After Steve Sarkisian completed his opening remarks at SEC media days – which included a shout-out to his former boss and mentor Nick Saban sitting behind the room and declaring that this 12 months’s Longhorns group is “most likely essentially the most proficient group we have had in my 4 years right here, I can unequivocally say that” – the Texas coach took questions.
The primary one was about Arch Manning.
There aren’t a whole lot of groups on the market the place backups get this a lot consideration. However then once more, there aren’t a whole lot of groups on the market which have backups with well-known final names.
Sarkisian was requested what the dialog was like with Manning and his household when actuality sunk in that the previous five-star quarterback must sit on the bench for a second straight 12 months. When starter Quinn Ewers determined to place off the NFL Draft somewhat bit longer and return to Texas for a 3rd season, that turned Manning’s actuality.
Nevertheless it wasn’t as huge of a deal as many may assume.
“We have been lucky to teach some fairly good quarterbacks,” Sarkisian mentioned Wednesday. “We have been lucky to do it for some a long time now. We have been lucky to have some actually good quarterback rooms. And I feel the Manning household is fairly nicely conscious of that.
“I feel they educated Arch to attempt to put himself in the perfect place to attempt to play in the perfect convention in America after which, in the end, put himself in the perfect place to additional his profession taking part in within the Nationwide Soccer League. I feel Arch’s growth has been essential to the household and he is reaping the advantage of these issues. It hasn’t been very tough in any respect. I feel it has been fairly easy for him.”
Steve Sarkisian discusses how teaching underneath Nick Saban and Pete Carroll impacted his profession
Ever since Manning dedicated to the Longhorns in June 2022, he is been the preferred Texas storyline. When he bought reps in his first spring recreation in April 2023, 1000’s of followers at Darrell Okay Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium rose to their ft and instantly began cheering. An early enrollee, Manning hadn’t even taken a snap but and the fan base was already able to anoint him their subsequent big-time gunslinger.
Humorous how the prospect of getting a man like Manning on the roster could cause folks to overlook that there is already a proficient, former No. 1 general recruit forward of him on the depth chart. Ewers began final season as a projected Heisman Trophy contender and prime 2024 NFL Draft choose. He did not fairly dwell as much as these expectations and handled an damage, however he did find yourself ending the 12 months with 3,479 passing yards, 22 touchdowns and simply six interceptions. He led Texas to its first ever look within the School Soccer Playoff towards Washington, and was a last-second accomplished cross away from going to the nationwide championship.
Ewers enters this season as a Heisman hopeful once more, and Sarkisian gushed about how he is “exuding confidence” and is the group’s undisputed chief, which is essential for this system because it begins new life within the SEC.
As for Manning, the second-year quarterback appeared in two video games final season, making his debut in a win over Texas Tech after which taking the ultimate snaps within the Large 12 championship win over Oklahoma State. Positive, Texas had locked down victories in each video games earlier than Manning entered, however when he did, followers as soon as once more went wild for him. He later made headlines within the spring recreation when he accomplished his first 10 passes after which once more final week, when he opted into EA Sports activities’ “School Soccer 25,” reversing course from opting out of the online game in March.
When Manning spoke with reporters at Sugar Bowl media day in December, he attracted much more consideration than Ewers, who was sitting only a few ft away. It was a clumsy setup – Ewers was sitting atop a podium, prepared to speak concerning the greatest recreation of his life. However only some reporters at a time got here as much as discuss to him. In the meantime, Manning, who was not going to be taking part in within the recreation, was hanging out on a bleacher close by. He ended up holding court docket with cameras and recorders in his face for 45 minutes.
Ewers, 21, and Manning, 19, are shut associates and are roommates on the street. Whereas it could be straightforward to grasp if there have been jealousy or animosity between the 2, that merely doesn’t exist. Manning likes to select Ewers’ mind and asks the veteran QB to quiz him on performs. Ewers just lately went to his second Manning Passing Academy, and mentioned Wednesday that he bought suggestions from Arch’s uncles, Peyton and Eli, about how one can deal with adversity and success.
Final 12 months was Manning’s first time ever being a backup, so he did not have expertise to lean on. He is since moved as much as No. 2 on the depth chart after Maalik Murphy transferred to Duke, and Sarkisian has mentioned that Manning will get extra significant taking part in time this fall.
Earlier than the Sugar Bowl, he was sincere about what it is like to not play.
“I imply, it is by no means enjoyable being a backup and sitting,” Manning mentioned then. “However every individual’s journey is totally different, and I am gonna work onerous and never blink an eye fixed, and assist Quinn be the perfect quarterback and attempt to get higher alongside the way in which.”
On this switch portal and NIL period, that would not fly with many former five-star gamers who need to get on the sphere instantly. Regardless of rumors, Manning mentioned in December that, “I have never appeared into transferring in any respect.” He may have gone anyplace, however he particularly needed to play for and be developed by Sarkisian.
“I feel Sark’s document with quarterbacks – what he did at Alabama – I simply noticed belief in him and I believed [Texas] was the correct match for me,” Manning mentioned. “I believed I match into the offense. I appreciated how Sark ran his group and I believed Texas was on an upward slope.
“Sark is likely one of the realist guys I do know. He retains it 100 with you and expects lots out of you. And that is good. That is what I need. It has been enjoyable studying underneath him.”
And he’ll proceed to take action.
Laken Litman covers school soccer, school basketball and soccer for FOX Sports activities. She beforehand wrote for Sports activities Illustrated, USA At present and The Indianapolis Star. She is the writer of “Sturdy Like a Lady,” revealed in spring 2022 to mark the fiftieth anniversary of Title IX. Comply with her on Twitter @LakenLitman.
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