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Arch Manning's decision to commit to the University of Texas was seen as a turning point for the Longhorns. Now, with Quinn Ewers declaring for the NFL Draft, the door is wide open and Arch is walking through it as the program's new starting quarterback.
After watching from the sidelines for much of his first two seasons, Manning is finally poised to lead Texas in 2025.
While many young players in his position might have taken their talents elsewhere, Manning stayed patient, choosing development over instant gratification. That decision wasn't easy-but for the 19-year-old, it was the right one.
"It was tough. I mean, it's tough in this age," Manning itted when asked about the challenge of waiting behind Ewers, according to The Athletic. "Sometimes it's worth the wait."
Now that wait is over, and Manning is ready to show why he was one of the most hyped quarterback recruits in recent memory. Despite speculation over whether he'd transfer to another school where he could start sooner, the freshman QB reaffirmed his loyalty to Texas.
"But I hope it pays off," he added. "There's nowhere else I want to be. I want to be at Texas. I've got friends here. I love this place. So, I want to be the quarterback at the University of Texas."
Carrying the legacy of football royalty
Of course, Manning's journey comes with a little more attention than most. As the grandson of legendary Saints quarterback Archie Manning and the nephew of Super Bowl champions Peyton and Eli Manning, Arch's every move has been under a microscope. And with that family name comes expectations that are sky-high.
Still, Arch hasn't shied away from the spotlight. Last season, in a backup role, he played in 10 games and started two while Ewers was sidelined with injury. In those appearances, Manning threw for 939 yards, nine touchdowns, and just two interceptions.
Now, he takes the reins of a Texas team hungry to recapture its past glory. The Longhorns haven't won a national title since Vince Young led them to a thrilling victory over USC in the 2006 Rose Bowl. But with Manning at the helm and a strong core returning, 2025 could be their best shot in years.