Texas Longhorn quarterback Arch Manning. Ricardo B. Brazziell / American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK

Insider believes Arch Manning could sneak up on Quinn Ewers

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated Mar 31, 2023 5:24 PM ET

Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian made it clear earlier this month that there would be an open competition for UT’s starting quarterback spot.

While redshirt sophomore Quinn Ewers, the former No. 1 overall player in the 2021 recruiting class according to the 247Sports composite rankings, is the presumed front-runner, ESPN’s Dave Wilson believes there’s a shot Arch Manning could unseat the incumbent QB for the No. 1 job.

“Manning is playing catch-up to Ewers, who has an 18-month head start on Steve Sarkisian's scheme and significantly more game experience,” Wilson wrote. “Manning will need to adapt to a serious jump in level of competition, which is why spring football is very important for him. … Manning and Ewers are already in a public battle for the starting job…Why? Because Ewers cannot play like he did last fall. He can't be streaky and inconsistent. Consistent performance is how Manning wins the job or Ewers keeps it.”

There’s no longer the green and white of Newman for Arch Manning, he’s now wearing the burnt orange of Texas. This week Arch suited up for the Longhorns in spring ball. Manning who should still be in high school, is running with the 2’s at QB. pic.twitter.com/Rzk0bLygpq
— Garland Gillen (@garlandgillen) March 11, 2023

Manning, a high school All-American and U.S. Army Bowl participant during his senior year, was the No. 1-ranked quarterback and overall player in the class of 2023. He threw for 6,445 yards, 73 touchdowns and just eight interceptions while completing 70 percent of his passes over 22 games at Isidore Newman High School in New Orleans.

Although Ewers has the edge in experience, he had a turbulent 2022 season in which he completed just 58.1 percent of his passes for 2,177 yards, 15 touchdowns and six interceptions.

Texas was 6-4 in games he played, but just 1-4 against AP-ranked teams. Ewers completed just 52 percent of his passes with five touchdowns and four interceptions in such games.

Michael Gallagher

Michael Gallagher is a longtime sports journalist based out of Nashville with a decade of experience covering college football, mixed martial arts and prep sports plus the NFL and NHL — specifically the Tennessee Titans and Nashville Predators. He’s covered several notable sporting events including an AFC Championship game, a Stanley Cup Final, an NHL All-Star Game and an NHL Stadium Series. Some of his past bylines can be found at the Nashville Scene, SB Nation, The Hockey News and Fox Sports Knoxville

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