Texas backup quarterback Arch Manning spoke to the media for the first time as a Longhorn ahead of his No. 3 team’s College Football Playoff semifinal game at the Sugar Bowl against No. 2 Washington.
Saturday, he addressed rumors of his possible transfer from Texas and pretty much shot them down. It’s a fair question considering Texas’ starter, Quinn Ewers, hasn’t definitively said whether or not he plans to return in 2024, and the Longhorns’ other backup, Maalik Murphy, entered the transfer portal and announced last week he’s headed to Duke.
But the freshman quarterback — who was the top recruit from the 2023 class and is also Peyton and Eli Manning’s nephew — said he’s not considering a transfer.
“Obviously, there’s all these rumors but I haven’t looked into transferring at all. I’m just focused on developing and helping this team in any way I can and hopefully, one day playing for the University of Texas like I always wanted to,” Manning said.
For Monday’s Sugar Bowl semifinal, Manning will be the next man up, should something happen to Ewers, who’s dealt with multiple injuries over the years. But he said he’s ready should he have to go in.
“I’ve tried to prepare like I’m the starter every week, but I guess now that you’re just one play away instead of two, there’s a little more to be prepared for,” Manning said. “A lot of it is mental just because you’re watching, you’ve got to get mental reps and just trying to prepare like you’re the starter because there’s a good chance you play. There’s also a good chance you don’t play, but at the end of the day, it’s just football, going out there, doing what I’ve done my whole life. So that’s what I’m trying to do.”
This season so far, Manning attempted passes in one game, the Longhorns’ 57-7 win over Texas Tech in November, and he completed two-of-five passes for 30 yards.
