Indianapolis – Burt Manning is at least a year away from placing questions at the NFL Scouting Combine. Yet his former Texas teammates fully expect that the second -year quarterback will eventually be at the highest level.
“I think he can do it,” said broad recipient Matthew Golden Friday. “He has the heart to do it. Arch comes in every day and he goes to work. He behaves like a walk-on. He has a story. He tries to make a name for himself. “
Manning started two games for the Longhorns last year as a Redshirt first -year student while he filled in for injured starter Quinn Ewers. Manning, which weighs 6 feet 4 and weighs 225 pounds, ended the season with 939 passing yards, nine touchdowns, two interceptions and a completion rate of 67.8.
The cousin of Peyton Manning and Eli Manning and the grandson of Archie Manning-Alle first round NFL Quarterbacks-the Youngest Manning hurried for 108 Yards and four touchdowns on 25. His 67-Yard Touchdown sprint against UTSA was the longest due to a Quarterback from Texas since the 80-Yard Run by Vince Young in 2005.
“He is a great pitcher, but what shocked me the most is that he can run,” said recipient Isaiah Bond. “I didn’t expect that at all, but Arch has some wheels on him. I have never seen a quarterback like that, especially since he is also a big guy. So, to move at that speed, it is quite surprising. ‘
In the past 25 years, Manning is the only FBS or NFL QB that places a TouchDown pass from more than 75 Yards, a TouchDown-Run for more than 65 Yards and a 50-Yard Scorepass in the same competition. Manning did that against Utsa, a game that he didn’t even start. Manning put Ewers in that match and completed 9 of 12 passes for four touchdowns and 223 Yards while he hurried to his 67-Yarder in a 56-7 victory.
Arch Manning, on the right, started two games in 2024 when Quinn Ewers was out with an injury. (David Buono / Icon Sportswire via Getty images)
Such as the no. 1 recruit of the nation in 2023, Manning immediately put pressure on Ewers, who was number 1 in 2021. When with those versions the presence of Manning intensified the tension on Ewers, which constantly improved to remain a starter.
“It says in the Bible, iron sharpens iron,” said Ewers. “So it was good for me and him to work together a bit. And we both compete for the same job, but our friends from the field were also good for us.
“I would not exchange anything about that, because it is the reality of the position. There will always be a big name in the room or in the room. So I am happy that he was part of our team, and I am glad that I had to hear about it. “
After his two starts against Louisiana-Monroe and Mississippi State, Manning played sparingly for the rest of the season, completed 6 of 12 passes for 38 Yards and hurried 12 times for 26 yards and a touchdown. The Longhorns reached the semi -finals of the College Football Playoff in their first SEC campaign.
With Ewers looking at an NFL career, it is the time of Manning to stand out in Texas. And his former teammates believe that he is ready for the spotlight.
“He will be a great player,” said Ewers. “He is a hard -working child. I think he also has a number of characteristics that I had. He has absolutely balance and calm, and I think he is ready for every moment that occurs because he was behind me, he saw how I did it. And then he will clearly have his ways on which he wants to do it. “
“He can turn the ball very well,” Golden said. “He can also run the ball. I feel that there is nothing that Arch is not possible. So I am excited to see what he will do next year. For his caliber, how young he is, he understands the game at a high level.
‘You can see when he is in the game. So, just wait until he gets the chance to start. It will be good. “
(Top photo: Matthew Visinsky / Icon Sportswire via Getty images)