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Arch Manning Makes Surprising Admission About Quinn Ewers

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Brendan Howe | Last updated Apr 10, 2025 1:14 PM ET

Arch Manning knows the circus of reporters and broadcasters that tail him. As he takes the keys from Quinn Ewers for the Texas Longhorns this coming go-round, he'll be analyzed ad nauseum. On Thursday, Manning discussed with reporters how Ewers helped him over the past two years.

"He's just been so good to me over the years," Manning said. "It's probably pretty annoying having me as a backup just with all the media stuff, but he handled it like a champ and he was so good to me along the way."

Manning was asked if he thinks the media stuff is annoying.

"For sure, for sure," he said with a laugh.

There was regular chatter last season when Ewers didn't live up to lofty expectations for Steve Sarkisian's team. One average game, and Ewers had to brace for fans calling to insert Manning instead. Maybe the biggest example of the frenzy around Manning was the season before.

Arch Manning attracted a mob of question-askers before the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Sugar Bowl two campaigns ago.

"Manning, of course, is not exactly new to the spotlight," Fox Sports' Laken Litman wrote of that scene. "He was the nation's top recruit a year ago, and oh yeah, has famous uncles named Peyton and Eli and a grandfather named Archie. Normally, on media days like these, backups don't garner much hoopla at all. Ewers, who sat a few feet away from Manning on a dais reserved for starters, didn't draw a sliver of it."

During that gathering, Manning was asked how tough it would be if Ewers returned for another season — which he did, leading the Longhorns to the doorstep of the national title game again. Manning was humble in his response.

"I mean, it's never fun being a backup and sitting," Manning said. "But each person's journey is different, and I'm gonna work hard and not blink an eye, and help Quinn be the best quarterback and try to get better along the way."

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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