Texas Longhorns starting quarterback Quinn Ewers was injured during the game this past weekend against UTSA with an abdominal strain, causing the Longhorns to insert backup quarterback Arch Manning. Manning would end up coming into the contest and electrifying the crowd with a historic 67-yard touchdown run which is the longest since Vince Young’s 80-yard touchdown run in 2005. He would go 9-for-12 for 223 yards passing and four touchdowns as well.
Due to Manning’s strong performance, many were left wondering that despite Texas’ strong start with Ewers if head coach Steve Sarkisian would make a change at quarterback permanently. While that seems to be off the table as the job is Ewers’ once he returns, the question still remains who will be the starting quarterback for the Longhorns in week four against ULM as Ewers’ injury status is still up in the air.
What is Steve Sarkisian’s plan for Arch Manning?
Sarkisian told the media in a conference call on Wednesday that who starts at quarterback this Saturday for the Longhorns is still uncertain. He was asked about Manning’s play specifically however in practice and it seems the second-year quarterback is coming along quite nicely.
“Arch has a really good understanding of what we’re trying to do,” Sarkisian said. “"Even though we're putting in a new game plan, I think he understands the premise of the plays that we have in our system. And then, yes, we're dressing them up certain ways and different things, but I think he has a good firm understanding of the premise of those plays. And so, when he gets in, he can operate them to a high level."
This is good news for Longhorn fans in the long term even if Ewers returns to the starting lineup against ULM.
What was Arch Manning’s recruiting ranking out of high school?
Out of high school, Manning was ranked by On3 as the number one player nationally after starting as a quarterback for four years an Isadore Newman high school in New Orleans, Louisiana. Although Manning’s high school stats were elite, some still questioned how he would do at the next level due to the level of competition with Isadore Newman being only a division III high school within the state of Louisiana.
With his play in previous contests last year and this year combined with his performance against UTSA, I think it is safe to say that this has been put to bed.
Quinn Ewers is a favorite to win the Heisman Trophy
Before his injury and even now, Ewers is still considered a favorite to win the Heisman Trophy in 2024. For this reason, do not expect the Longhorns to make a chance at quarterback once he is healthy enough to return. According to FanDuel, Ewers ranks as eighth in odds to win the Heisman Trophy at +20000.