Texas Head Coach Steve Sarkisian Breaks Silence On Arch Manning’s Development

The Texas Longhorns are beginning their new journey in the SEC in 2024 along with Oklahoma. As such, they are also expected to be a contender for the newly expanded College Football Playoff.

Going into 2024, Quinn Ewers is the QB1 for the Longhorns as highly-touted recruit Arch Manning waits in the wings. However, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian opened up on Manning's development while making an appearance on The Dan Patrick Show.

"We've seen an immense amount of development in Arch," Sarkisian said. "We feel very comfortable if and/or when he gets in the game he's going to play good football for us. But I also think they understand the process of developing himself to be a championship-caliber quarterback in the SEC and on the national stage but also preparing and putting himself in the best position for the National Football League."

It's not surprising that Manning is beginning as the backup as Quinn Ewers had a strong 2023 season.

The Texas starter threw for 3,161 yards with 21 touchdowns en route to a College Football Playoff trip.

On top of that, Ewers was named to the Manning Award Watch list .

Sarkisian did say they feel "comfortable" if and/or Manning gets game action, so it will be worth watching to see if he gets playing time in 2024.

Manning played just part of one game last year, throwing five passes with two completions against Texas Tech. But with Maalik Murphy transferring to Duke, Manning is the backup all the way through for the Longhorns.

The Longhorns begin with a game against Colorado State, then a road game against Michigan and games against UTSA and Louisiana-Monroe before beginning SEC play.

If any of those games are blowouts, we very well could see Arch Manning get some playing time.

Related: Quinn Ewers Named to Manning Award Watchlist