Arch Manning hasn't locked down backup QB spot for Texas

Arch Manning has a five-star last name to match his five-star recruiting ranking. The nephew of Peyton Manning and Eli Manning — as well as the grandson of Ole Miss legend Archie Manning — the young quarterback is football royalty.

He also has incredible expectations placed on him. He was the consensus No. 1 overall recruit in the 2022 class.

With that backdrop, it is a bit surprising to see that he's had a bit of a slow start in Austin.

It's not terribly surprising that head coach Steve Sarkisian has put his faith in last year's starting quarterback (and a former No. 1 overall recruit in his own right) Quinn Ewers to lead the Longhorns this season. 

Ewers has 10 games of experience under his belt and the Longhorns are arguably the favorite to win the Big 12 and even make a push for the College Football Playoffs this season.

It's not an ideal season to play a true freshman, so you can understand Sarkisian going with Ewers over Manning. The fact that Manning hasn't even been named the No. 2 quarterback behind Ewers, though? That is a bit shocking.

Per Sarksian, though, Manning is still in competition with redshirt freshman Maalik Murphy for that spot.

"That’s why we practice throughout the week and that’s why they come with a real intent to work every day," Sarkisian said on Monday when asked about QB2 (h/t On3). "Maalik and Arch right now, you know they’re both doing well and so you know, who do we feel like come Thursday is the guy that kind of earned that opportunity to be the backup this week? That’ll be who the backup is.”

This is, of course, in no way an indication of the quarterback Manning can become. Sarkisian has sung his praises in the past, after all, and he does have all the talent and pedigree in the world.

It is a good reminder that pedigree doesn't mean everything, though. In football, as it is in life, you have the earn it and can't live on hype alone.

For what it's worth, Murphy was a four-star quarterback, ranked No. 12 at his position in 2022.