AUSTIN (KXAN) — Who should be the starting quarterback for the Texas Longhorns is one of the hottest debates among college football pundits and fans across the country, even though right now there isn’t any question on who it should be.
Quinn Ewers is coming back for his third year leading the Longhorns offense and will be the guy until coach Steve Sarkisian says he isn’t, but there’s always sophomore Arch Manning waiting in the wings with that rocket right arm he showed off in the Longhorns’ spring game.
Both were counselors at the Manning Passing Academy camp June 27-30 at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Louisiana, together guiding the next crop of great college quarterbacks. While the two are battling to be QB1 for the Longhorns and pushing each other, Manning called Ewers “one of my best friends.”
“We spend pretty much every day together,” Manning said. “I learn a lot from him and the way he goes about his preparation. He’s great.”
Ewers borrowed a phrase from the Bible to describe their relationship.
“Iron sharpens iron,” he said. “It’s awesome to have him in the room and that room is super close. We’re all competing for the same goal and it’s cool to see everybody be friends as well.”
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As the Longhorns prepare for their inaugural season in the Southeastern Conference, the spotlight is going to be on the program brighter than ever. As for the quarterback scenario, it will get amplified with every game — good, bad or otherwise. Sarkisian has made it clear that it’s Ewers’ job, but Manning said things are “starting to slow down” for him as he spends more time running the offense. He threw for 375 yards and three touchdowns in the spring game, and while it wasn’t against the Longhorns’ best lineup in the secondary, it was still impressive to see him make the necessary throws and maneuver in the pocket.
“I’m just growing every day and trying to get better,” Manning said. “Sometimes it’s hard to stay patient because you want to play right away, but right now I’m taking it day by day and learning a lot.”
The Longhorns had three wide receivers and a tight end selected in the 2024 NFL Draft but they’ve reloaded through high school recruiting and strategically browsing the transfer portal. Manning said he’s been working out with Oregon State transfer Silas Bolden during the summer and he’s excited for the incoming corps of pass catchers.
“All of these new receivers are good,” he said. “Isaiah Bond, Matthew Golden, Ryan Wingo … Wingo is going to be a stud and I think he’ll play a lot. He’s everything you want in a receiver. This guy Silas Bolden from Oregon State, he’s a dog.”