Is Arch Manning Horns Up or Horns Down? Uncle Eli addresses transfer portal buzz
Arch Manning is gearing up for his second season as the Texas Longhorns backup quarterback, which has led some to suggest he could entertain entering the transfer portal during its spring window in April.
His uncle, former NFL quarterback Eli Manning, shut down those rumors on Friday during an interview with CBS Sports Radio's Zach Gelb.
"He picked Texas. That's where he wants to be. That's where he wants to play football. He likes coach [Steve] Sarkisian and his offense and what they're doing," said Eli Manning. " ... The fact that you can transfer so easily now doesn’t mean you should do it, just because you’re not playing right away."
2023 starting quarterback Quinn Ewers was eligible for the 2024 NFL Draft, but he instead decided to return to the Longhorns for his senior year.
Arch Manning entered his freshman season third on the quarterback depth chart, also behind Maalik Murphy, who transferred to Duke in December.
That paved the way for Manning to be Ewers' backup in the College Football Playoff semifinal against Washington. He didn't attempt a pass in that one; in fact, he only threw five passes all year, in the team's regular-season finale against Texas Tech.
Manning could see more action in 2024. Murphy appeared in seven games last season, including two starts after Ewers suffered a shoulder injury.
Regardless of what happens this upcoming season, Manning is next in line to be the Longhorns starting quarterback. In the transfer portal era, it's rare for players to stay in one place for long if they aren't getting playing time.
It appears that Manning will buck that trend.
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