Manning is the backup quarterback for the Longhorns, and they are “more than capable.”

When Maalik Murphy used the transfer portal prior to committing to Duke, the Texas Longhorns officially lost valuable quarterback experience. Although he has only made two career starts—both in victories this season—coaches should never take that for granted. When the Longhorns play the Washington Huskies in the College Football Playoff at the Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Day, Texas will still have one of the best quarterbacks in the nation in Quinn Ewers, but in terms of experience and collegiate reps, recently appointed backup Arch Manning isn’t exactly the perfect QB2.

Though he was an early enrollee last offseason, Manning is still getting top grades from his coaches and teammates, with Steve Sarkisian even going so far as to call him “more than capable” and less of a true freshman at this time.

Associated content Sarkisian remarked, “I joked with him the other day, like, ‘You’re not really a freshman anymore. “Now that you’re in your sophomore year, how would you prepare to play going into your sophomore year?” That is precisely what we are doing. Over the course of the previous year, Manning has practiced a lot against Texas’ defense, and they now have a solid feel for him.

When it comes to mental readiness, seasoned safety Jerrin Thompson has witnessed all that the young quarterback prodigy has to offer. According to Thompson, “Arch has always been head down and work team first.” “He’s never been concerned with getting a leading role or anything else.”

Associated: Maalik Murphy Declares Transfer To Duke Officially Manning only participated in two games this season, and he didn’t make his collegiate debut until the regular-season finale at Texas Tech. He completed the 57-7 victory with a 12-yard run and two of five passes for thirty yards. He then played the last few plays as Texas defeated Oklahoma State 49–21 in the Big 12 Championship. The most talked-about backup quarterback in the nation has showed fans glimpses of his potential, even if he hasn’t even begun to grow experienced quarterback hairs on his chest. However, the players and coaches who have been around him for almost a year were not surprised by that.