ESPN insider explains why Arch Manning to Texas makes perfect sense for No. 1 QB

The Texas Longhorns landed the golden goose of the 2023 class on Thursday with the commitment of No. 1 overall prospect, quarterback Arch Manning. Manning, the nephew of Peyton and Eli Manning, has ties to Tennessee and Ole Miss, and was also heavily considering Georgia and Alabama, but he ultimately chose Texas, thanks to the efforts of head coach Steve Sarkisian.

ESPN analyst Pete Thamel joined Get Up on Friday and explained why Arch Manning’s decision made perfect sense from a development standpoint.

“Obviously the [Manning] family’s lineage is so deeply rooted in the SEC that Texas was a little bit of a surprise, but I really think that, from talking to Nelson Stewart – the coach at Isidore Newman and Arch Manning’s high school coach, longtime friend of the Manning family – the relationship with Steve Sarkisian, the Texas head coach and one of the best offensive minds in college football,” Thamel said.

“Remember Steve Sarkisian was Matt Leinart’s quarterback coach 20 years ago at USC. He was obviously with the run of Jalen Hurts, Tua Tagovailoa, Mac Jones at Alabama recently. He’s a deft-experienced quarterback guy and great play caller, and he is clearly the best guy the Manning family thinks to take Arch Manning from high school prospect to NFL prospect.”

Manning picks the Longhorns, Steve Sarkisian

Steve Sarkisian’s growing resume of developing starting NFL quarterbacks has helped him draw top talent to Austin already, even with the Longhorns chasing the leaders in the Big 12 conference on the field.

Former Five Star Plus+ quarterback Quinn Ewers transferred in from Ohio State this offseason and joins former four-star recruit Hudson Card. Now, Texas will have another former Five Star Plus+ recruit coming in with Manning’s commitment. He’s the No. 1 recruit in the nation in 2023, according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Also responsible for landing Manning’s commitment was Longhorns quarterbacks coach AJ Milwee.

“Milwee did it all,” a source told InsideTexas. “Arrived first, left last. Stood in sun to video while other coaches sat in the shade.“

Heading into his senior year, the heir to the Manning legacy is committed to the Longhorns. Now, Steve Sarkisian and his staff need to put together a season with a record that befits a program landing blue-chip recruits.