Despite being a 45-point favorite against Louisiana-Monroe on Saturday night at home, the Texas Longhorns will have a lot of eyes on them when they take the field.
Due to an injury to starting quarterback Quinn Ewers, Texas will be starting their backup who just happens to be perhaps the most hyped up prospect in the history of recruiting, sophomore gunslinger Arch Manning.
Manning is of course the nephew of NFL legends Peyton and Eli Manning and was one of the most highly rated quarterback recruits to ever be ranked. The Louisiana native was unanimously graded as both the No. 1 quarterback in the nation and the No. 1 overall player in his class.
Last week, after Ewers went out of the game, Manning made his debut and did not disappoint. He completed 9 of his 12 attempts for 223 yards and four touchdown passes while adding a long rushing score and showing off his speed in the 56-7 victory over UTSA
Now, Manning gets a chance to make his first-ever college football start for the Longhorns in a low pressure situation in which he will get the chance to shine once again. Ewers will be back eventually, but if Manning continues to show why he was rated as highly as he was, head coach Steve Sarkisian could end up with a difficult decision on his hands.
Michael Brauner is a Senior Sports Analyst and Contributing Writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @MBraunerWNSP and hear him every weekday morning from 6 to 9 a.m. on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5, available free online.
