Arch Manning, a former top high school prospect who will suit up for Texas as a true freshman this fall behind starting quarterback Quinn Ewers, got off to a rough start in April’s spring game, struggling in his unofficial college debut.
Manning, the son of Cooper Manning and nephew of Peyton and Eli, is considered the quarterback of the future at Texas. However, he threw for just 30 yards on 5-of-13 passing attempts in the spring game.
Eli was asked about his nephew’s performance at the Manning Passing Academy at Nicholls State earlier this week, and was not concerned about the early struggles of his nephew.
“For me, I don’t remember many of my spring games,” Eli said. “I don’t remember many of my preseason games. Spring games, you can’t look too much into it.”
Arch enrolled early at Texas this spring, skipping his final semester of his senior year of high school to get on campus and start learning the playbook. Eli thinks that it will benefit Arch in the long run that he enrolled early.
“I know, for him, it’s about getting in there. Getting into practices, getting in the weight room, learning the playbook,” Eli added. “He was still a senior in high school when he went through that spring game. He’s got a lot to learn, but every rep’s important, every practice is important and he’ll just continue to get better and more comfortable.”
For what it’s worth, coach Steve Sarkisian said that the staff will not rush Arch along. The plan is for him to sit behind Ewers this fall, as Texas looks to compete for a Big 12 title.
