Eli Manning reacts to Texas, Arch Manning joining SEC

It’s been 20 years since a quarterback named Manning played in the SEC. First, it was Peyton at Tennessee from 1994-97 before Eli starred at Ole Miss from 2000-03.

In 2024, that run will end as Arch Manning and Texas join the conference. Seeing new teams in the league take some getting used to, Eli said at the Manning Passing Academy held at Nicholls State in Thibodaux, La., but a Manning will have the SEC logo on his chest once again.

That’s why Eli said it’ll be especially exciting to watch his nephew and the Longhorns in 2024 and beyond.

“It’s a little different, but I’ve gotten used to it,” Eli said. “A couple new teams were added a few years ago, and now Texas and Oklahoma, obviously two great franchises, great schools, great football programs. To have my nephew playing in the SEC next year will be fun at Texas. It’ll be good to add them to the mix.”

Arch Manning’s arrival has garnered plenty of attention considering his stature on the recruiting trail. He was a Five Star Plus+ recruit, meaning he was one of the only players ranked by all four major recruiting media companies as a five star during the 2023 cycle. Manning was the No. 1-ranked player in the nation, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

He’ll now join a quarterback room headlined by fellow former Five Star Plus+ prospect Quinn Ewers. Ewers was the starter last season after transferring from Ohio State and is back again this year as Manning gets settled in Austin. Texas coach Steve Sarkisian has declared Ewers the starter already, meaning Manning will sit behind the former highly touted recruit to start out his career.

Ewers is also attending the Manning Passing Academy, and he said the relationship with Arch is already a strong one.

“Me and Arch are great buddies. I’ve known him — I got to know him pretty well in the recruiting process. We’ve only grown in our relationship. Like you said, we have a great relationship,” Ewers said. “We get along well. The whole quarterback room is just such a great group of guys. No one is trying to undercut somebody or try to get ahead in certain ways. We are just a good group of guys, great buddies. We’ve been hanging out together. Those are like my best friends, the people in the quarterback room.”

The Bengal Tiger’s Shea Dixon and On3’s Andrew Graham contributed to this report.