Cam Newton Makes Feelings Known About Steve Spurrier’s Criticism of Arch Manning originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The conversations surrounding Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning can be as ridiculous and over-the-top as Cam Newton’s hat collection. Every day, there seems to be a new hot take or bit of skepticism that follows the 21-year-old signal-caller.
On Wednesday, Newton discussed the validity of Steve Spurrier’s concerns when the “Old Ball Coach” expressed his doubt about Manning’s talent, given that Manning did not start last year. Instead, the Longhorns stuck with Quinn Ewers, who was only “a seventh-round pick” in Spurrier’s words.
“You have to ask Coach Sark, how come you played that one instead of this one,” Spurrier questioned aloud, referring to Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian’s decision to play Ewers.
During Wednesday’s edition of his podcast “4th&1,” Newton disagreed with the evaluation from the former coach of the Florida Gators and South Carolina Gamecocks.
The former Carolina Panthers quarterback first defended Quinn Ewers.
“(Ewers) was a five-star athlete and No. 1 player coming out of high school. So he wasn’t just a bum,” Newton said.
Newton is correct in his assessment as Ewers was the consensus No. 1 player in the country in the 2021 recruiting class. The 6-foot-2, 214-pound signal-caller first enrolled at Ohio State before transferring to Texas after just one season with the Buckeyes.
“I think when I look at this situation, Steve Spurrier has to understand that he can relate to Steve Sarkisian being in a very sticky situation. Because number one, everybody was looking to see how he was going to handle the Quinn Ewers-Arch Manning situation from the jump.”
Manning was the No. 1 player in the country in the 2023 class.
“Ever since Arch Manning committed to the University of Texas, there’s always been this unsung kind of expectation, like how is coach Sarkisian going to treat Quinn Ewers? And I think with this particular point, it says a lot how Steve Sarkisian handled this situation, and he handled it beautifully. Even when Quinn Ewers got hurt, when he got back healthy, what did (Sarkisian) do? He didn’t give (the starting job) to Arch Manning.”
Newton continued to point out how Sarkisian stuck by Ewers throughout the 2024 season and how future recruits and parents can look to this decision to gauge his character, as Newton described it, by “handling business the right way.”
Related: Paul Finebaum Calls Cam Newton ‘Selfish’ in Defense of His Arch Manning Stance
Related: Peyton Manning Has Clear Advice for Arch Manning As He Gears Up To Lead Texas
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 2, 2025, where it first appeared.