DALLAS – After Steve Sarkisian completed his opening remarks at SEC media days – which consistedof a shout-out to his previous employer and coach Nick Saban sitting in the back of the space and stating that this year’s Longhorns group is “probably the most gifted group we’ve had in my 4 years here, I can unquestionably state that” – the Texas coach took concerns.
The veryfirst one was about Arch Manning.
There aren’t a lot of groups out there where backups get this much attention. But then onceagain, there aren’t a lot of groups out there that have backups with well-known last names.
Sarkisian was asked what the discussion was like with Manning and his household when truth sunk in that the previous luxury quarterback would have to sit on the bench for a 2nd straight year. When starter Quinn Ewers chose to put off the NFL Draft a little bit longer and return to Texas for a 3rd season, that endedupbeing Manning’s truth.
But it wasn’t as huge of a offer as numerous may believe.
“We’ve been lucky to coach some quite great quarterbacks,” Sarkisian stated Wednesday. “We’ve been lucky to do it for some years now. We’ve been lucky to have some actually excellent quarterback spaces. And I believe the Manning household is quite well mindful of that.
“I think they qualified Arch to shot to put himself in the finest position to shot to play in the finest conference in America and then, eventually, put himself in the finest position to evenmore his profession playing in the National Football League. I believe Arch’s advancement hasactually been essential to the household and he’s enjoying the advantage of those things. It hasn’t been really challenging at all. I believe it’s been quite easy for him.”
Steve Sarkisian talksabout how training under Nick Saban and Pete Carroll affected his profession
Ever consideringthat Manning dedicated to the Longhorns in June 2022, he’s been the most popular Texas story. When he got associates in his veryfirst spring videogame in April 2023, thousands of fans at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium increased to their feet and rightaway began cheering. An early enrollee, Manning hadn’t even taken a snap yet and the fan base was currently allset to anoint him their next big-time gunslinger.
Funny how the possibility of having a guy like Manning on the lineup can cause individuals to forget that there’s currently a talented, previous No. 1 total hire ahead of him on the depth chart. Ewers began last season as a predicted Heisman Trophy competitor and leading 2024 NFL Draft choice. He didn’t rather live up to those expectations and dealt with an injury, however he did end up completing the year with 3,479 passing backyards, 22 goals and simply 6 interceptions. He led Texas to its veryfirst ever look in the College Football Playoff versus Washington, and was a last-second finished pass away from going to the nationwide champion.
Ewers goesinto this season as a Heisman enthusiastic onceagain, and Sarkisian gushed about how he’s “exuding self-confidence” and is the group’s indisputable leader, which is essential for the program as it starts brand-new life in the SEC.
As for Manning, the second-year quarterback appeared in 2 videogames last season, making his launching in a win over Texas Tech and then taking the last snaps in the Big 12 champion win over Oklahoma State. Sure, Texas hadactually locked down triumphes in both videogames before Manning goneinto, however when he did, fans assoonas onceagain went wild for him. He lateron made headings in the spring videogame when he finished his veryfirst 10 passes and then onceagain la