Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning is facing the highest expectations of any prospect in the NIL era, and from a narrative perspective and the eye test of many, he’s coming nowhere close to meeting them.
Manning could’ve gotten away with a down game against the Ohio State Buckeyes during a 14-7 loss at the “Shoe” in Week 1, given what we’ve learned about Matt Patricia in Columbus. Even the Florida Gators are a forgivable loss when you consider the talent on Ron Roberts’ defense.
But it’s hard to explain away a dud against the UTEP Miners. It’s hard to explain why the arm strength that was promised, perhaps unfairly expected because of his NFL QB grandfather and uncles, has been in spurts. We saw more of it last year during the team’s SEC debut, a 35-13 win over the Mississippi State Bulldogs, if anything.
As FOX Sports’ RJ Young noted, Manning may become the norm in college football. But there will still be exceptions to the rule of needing time to develop under center before being ready to lead a Power 4 team.
“Tim Tebow was elite from the moment he could start for Urban Meyer at Florida. Jameis Winston and Johnny Manziel were elite at Florida State and Texas A&M, respectively. Jalen Hurts became the first true freshman to start at quarterback for Alabama in 32 years and ended the season as the SEC Offensive Player of the Year. Trevor Lawrence came off the bench in 2018 and led Clemson to an undefeated 15-0 season and a national title in the four-team College Football Playoff era,” Young wrote.
“It has been done, and it’s likely to happen again given the volatility of the sport since the advent of immediate eligibility for all players who choose to enter the transfer portal. However, it’s more likely that a talent like Manning will need time to mature and gather experience as a full-time starter before we can expect him to compete for the Heisman in earnest.”
Unfortunately, Michigan Wolverines QB Bryce Underwood may already be proving to be an exception, not the Arch rule.
Manning just hasn’t developed like he should’ve by now. At this level, he may not be what his star rating indicates.
He wouldn’t be the first, and as Young correctly points out, he won’t be the last.