Arch Manning a ‘dangerous player’ after criticism that would’ve ‘destroyed’ others, Sark says
TAMPA, Fla. — Arch Manning is graduating from the University of Texas in December with a degree in Communication & Leadership, but he has no idea what he’s going to do with his life if his football career doesn’t pan out.
He does know, however, one profession he won’t get into. “I’m not doing anything in the media,” the third-generation quarterback said through a grin Thursday at SEC media days.
It’s no secret Manning and coach Steve Sarkisian haven’t forgotten about the criticism the quarterback took from national pundits when he struggled out of the gate last season, his first as Texas’ full-time starter.
What makes Arch Manning such a polarizing prospect?
Sam Khan Jr.
But Manning and the Longhorns are in a much different spot now with a little more than six weeks to go until their season opener against Texas State on Sept. 5 at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium.
Manning, who ranks seventh in The Athletic’s QB Tiers, is once again a preseason favorite to win the Heisman, and Texas owns the third-best odds, according to BetMGM, to win the national title behind Ohio State and Notre Dame following an offseason in which Steve Sarkisian bolstered the roster through the transfer portal.
The Longhorns signed the No. 1 receiver available in Cam Coleman, beefed up the backfield with Hollywood Smothers and Raleek Brown, added three starters on the offensive line and signed four starters off other Power 4 rosters for new defensive coordinator Will Muschamp. And Sarkisian revealed Thursday that Texas will welcome John Meredith, a five-star cornerback commitment, into the program this fall after he reclassified this week.
Talent once again won’t be a problem at Texas. But the question remains: Can Manning and the team live up to high expectations and win the program’s first national championship in over two decades?
“What he got through probably would have melted or destroyed 99 percent of the people in his shoes,” Sarkisian said Thursday. “Right now he’s a very dangerous player because he learned a lot from last season, and he is surrounded by some good players. I think that he’s a guy that’s poised for a heck of a season.”
Establishing chemistry among 47 new players, including 22 transfers, has been Sarkisian’s primary focus during the offseason. The coach said he started the process in February — months earlier than last year.
“I failed our team a year ago by doing it that way,” he said. “I felt like we didn’t have the culture needed early in the season to make that happen, to be the team that we were capable of being. I learned my lesson.”
Manning took Texas’ receivers home with him to New Orleans recently for his grandfather’s birthday. They hit Bourbon Street, played catch, swam and enjoyed some barbecue.
This week, Sarkisian had his players compete in a scavenger hunt around campus, which ended at the football stadium. Manning led one group; star edge rusher Colin Simmons led another. They tied.
“Everyone is sweating bullets; it’s 100 degrees in Austin right now, and they’re having a blast together as a team,” Sarkisian said. “Those are the moments that are going to get us through the tough fourth quarters.”
What matters in the end for Texas is that it’s playing together and winning well into January. Few athletic programs are as well fortified financially, and playing for championships is the standard in Austin.
Manning, though, doesn’t seem to be concerned about that right now. He’s got Spanish II to pass this summer and some golf courses to attack before camp opens.
“I just want to be remembered as a good teammate and someone who did whatever it took to help the team win and help the team get closer,” he said. “I’m not really worried about my legacy. I just want to win games and have a good time.”
