Why there's value for Arch Manning in waiting his turn at Texas behind Quinn Ewers

During the latest episode of Andy Staples On3, Andy Staples evaluated the Texas Spring Game, specifically the future of Arch Manning with the Longhorns.

Many are wondering whether Manning should stay with Texas and backup Quinn Ewers, or if the former top recruit is ready to lead a team on his own, whether it’s the Longhorns or a different program. Staples believes there’s value in Manning waiting his turn at Texas, and that’s the best road for him.

“This is an interesting situation because like I said, if you look around the landscape the way college football works now, especially with your blue chip quarterback prospects, you rarely see them waiting their turn. You rarely see them wanting to wait around to play,” Staples said. “Arch Manning seems perfectly willing to do that. And it’s interesting because if you look around, who’s probably the top returning quarterback in college football this year? It’s Carson Beck. He waited behind Stetson Bennett for three years. He didn’t start until year four at Georgia. So there is value in that. It’s not for everybody. There are guys who come in completely ready to play, and that’s fine. They’re the best quarterback on campus when they get there. But there’s also value in developing, and being ready when you get put in.

“Because I think that’s that’s the big fear among coaches, is putting somebody in before they’re absolutely ready. And what’s the Steve Sarkisian talked about a little bit that during that press conference, was that Arch Manning hasn’t really gotten to play football at that level, ever, and also hasn’t really gotten a chance to be that guy since high school. So just getting him game type reps in that volume is valuable.”

Continuing, Staples added that the value of having a top backup quarterback will be unmatched going forward, especially with the added games teams will have to win if they’re to become national champions moving forward.

“Having a very good backup quarterback, in this particular day and age in college football, I think has become even more critical,” Staples added. “We’ve pointed out multiple times on this show that Quinn Ewers has not made it fully through the two seasons. He’s been the starter. Hudson Card had replaced him when he got hurt against Alabama two years ago. Maalik Murphy had replaced him for a couple games last year. So there’s a chance you’re going to need him, and especially now, because remember, if you want to win the national championship, starting this year, you’re playing a 16 or 17 game season. So you better have a really good backup quarterback.

“You better have that guy, who if your starter goes down, can keep you going without a hitch. And I don’t know how many teams have that guy. I think Texas feels very confident they do. But I don’t know that there’s a lot of other teams, when you look at it.”

Texas certainly has that guy in Arch Manning, and he seems content to play that role for at least one more season. After that, it’s anyone’s guess, but Longhorns fans certainly want him to prosper with Texas moving forward.