Texas sophomore quarterback Arch Manning has been the talk of the offseason with 100% positive coverage from the national media, which is not surprising given his lineage and five-star recruiting rating. Already the preseason front-runner for the 2026 Heisman Trophy with +700 odds (FanDuel), Manning’s lack of playtime over the last two years after sitting behind veteran Quinn Ewers has led to one famous name questioning the overwhelming hype.
This week, Hall of Fame coach Steve Spurrier, most known for coaching Florida (1990-2001) and South Carolina (2005-2015), including leading the Gators to the 1996 National Championship, made an appearance on Pat Dooley’s Another Dooley Noted Podcast, as the topic of Arch Manning’s first starting season came up, and Spurrier did not hold back.
“They’ve got Arch Manning already winning the Heisman (Trophy), too. My question is, if he’s that good, how come they let Quinn Ewers play all the time last year? He was a seventh-round pick.”
Spurrier is, of course, entitled to his opinion, but it’s fair to note that Quinn Ewers played through a torn oblique through most of the 2024 season, resulting in a lack of mobility that hindered his accuracy. During Ewers’ two-game absence, Manning looked solid in his place and went on to appear in ten games, primarily used as a runner.
However, Manning will be playing in front of two new starters at left and right tackle and throwing to an inexperienced wide receiver corps, but will be aided by a talented running back room led by junior Quintreveon Wisner.
Using Ewers’ 7th-round draft selection could be seen as a cheap shot. Still, I believe that last season’s veteran team would have continued to back Ewers as the starter to finish his Texas career on a high note before Manning eventually took the reins.
Arch Manning’s arm strength, dual-threat running ability, and above-average accuracy and touch should lead a young but highly talented Texas offense to at least 10 or 11 wins, mainly due to head coach Steve Sarkisian’s play-calling.
Like Texas A&M QB Marcel Reed, both sophomore signal callers will be under fire if things go south. Still, unlike Manning, Reed will be working with an equally talented, but more experienced, receiving corps and a loaded running back room in front of what many consider the best offensive line in the SEC.
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Is Steve Spurrier right about the Texas starting QB Arch Manning?