By Dorrington Myers
Texas and Ohio State met last season in a nail-biting College Football Playoff semi-final where the Buckeyes won 28- 14. Back then, it was Quinn Ewers against Will Howard. Ohio State would go on to win the National Championship shortly after that.
I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase: Out with the old, in with the new. This season that comes true as two new signal-callers lead two blue-blood dynasties. For Texas it’s Arch Manning, and for Ohio State it’s Julian Sayin. Both of these quarterbacks bring unique skills to the table. In this Tale of the Tape, I’ll be analyzing their entire body of work as QBs in advance of their matchup on Aug. 30 in Columbus, Ohio.
Arch Manning – Texas Longhorns
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2024 Stats: 939 passing yards, 9 TDs, 2 INTs, 4 rushing TDs
Strengths: Poise, ability to throw with touch, leadership, and mobility
Manning has lived under the weight of a legendary name. Now he’s writing his own story. After a glimpse of what he can do from last season, the expectations are through the roof in Austin. Manning brings the full arsenal to the table. He has elite passing ability, mobility, high IQ, and leadership. I want to see how he handles top-tier defenses this year. That’s what will set him apart from his peers. Manning has Ryan Wingo, DeAndre Moore Jr. and a few freshmen as his receiver corps. This could be something good for Texas.
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Julian Sayin- Ohio State Buckeyes
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2024 Stats: 84 yards, 1 TD
Strengths: Accuracy, Pocket Awareness, Anticipation
There’s limited college game tape on Sayin so far, but early camp impressions are promising. He is a pure passer with a quick release and the ability to make tight-window throws. His greatest asset is his pinpoint accuracy, consistently placing the ball where only his receiver can make the play. While he doesn’t rely on flash or improvisation, his game is built on precision, timing, and clean execution. I want to see how he fairs against the top defenses because he has the best receiver corps in the country, in my opinion. If they click, the rest of the country is in trouble.
Key Questions
• Arch Manning: Can he push the ball downfield against a top-tier defense without turning it over?
• Julian Sayin: Can he control the tempo and make anticipatory throws against elite defenders?
Final Remarks
While some have these two quarterbacks ranked high on early Heisman and QB lists, I’m holding off judgment until they face elite defenses. That said, I expect fireworks and highlight reel plays from both QBs. They’re not just top prospects – they’re the faces of the Big Ten and the SEC conferences.
