Why is Arch Manning not starting? Explaining Texas' 2024 QB depth chart behind Quinn Ewers

Texas is back after making the College Football Playoff last season, entering this year with lofty expectations.

The Longhorns are the No. 4-ranked team in the country and open their season with a non-conference matchup against Colorado State on Saturday.

Texas is still led by returning star quarterback Quinn Ewers, who elected to return to college instead of entering the NFL Draft following a breakout second season in Austin.

That means heralded quarterback Arch Manning will remain the backup after serving the majority of his redshirt freshman season on the sidelines.

Why is Ewers starting over Manning? The Sporting News takes a closer look below.

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Why is Arch Manning not starting for Texas?

Manning will once again serve as Texas' backup quarterback to Ewers in the 2024 season.

When Ewers announced his return to school, many assumed Manning would look to take his talents elsewhere in the transfer portal. The highly touted freshman elected to remain loyal to the Longhorns and head coach Steve Sarkisian, staying patient and ready for his opportunity.

Given his last name and bloodline, Manning has had one of the brightest spotlights for a high school quarterback in recent memory. As the No. 1 overall prospect in the class of 2023 , he caught many by surprise in choosing a school that already had an established QB1.

After all, Ewers was also a five-star prospect and the No. 1 overall player in the class of 2021 . He spent his first college season at Ohio State as a fourth-string quarterback behind starter C.J. Stroud before transferring to Texas in 2022.

Instead of chasing an instant role as a starter, Manning sat on the sidelines behind Ewers for most of his freshman season.

He only appeared in two games, completing two of five pass attempts for 30 yards. He also had three carries for seven rushing yards.

Meanwhile, Ewers had the best season of his college career, throwing for 3,479 yards and 22 touchdowns to just six interceptions while leading Texas to the College Football Playoff for the first time since its establishment in 2014.

He left no question as to who the Longhorns' best option was to win football games.

Texas was able to redshirt Manning, buying another year of eligibility. He will be a redshirt freshman as a backup this season, and there is no guarantee he will even be the starter as a sophomore next year.

Ewers is only a junior, so if his NFL Draft stock isn't where he desires, he could return to Texas again after the 2024 season.

If that ends up being the case, transfer portal rumors will inevitably heat up around Manning this offseason.

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Texas QB depth chart

Ewers and Manning are solidified in their spots as Texas' starting and backup quarterbacks, respectively.

The Longhorns also brought in freshman four-star recruit Trey Owens, a Texas native and the No. 16-ranked quarterback in last year's high school class.