By Mark Pszonak
There are few players in recent history that will begin a season with more hype than Texas quarterback Arch Manning. During a recent interview, former Florida and South Carolina head coach Steve Spurrier wondered why.
Steve Spurrier fired SHOTS at Arch Manning and Texas😳
— Inside Texas (@InsideTexas) June 24, 2025
Thoughts?⤵️ pic.twitter.com/5lujF7n0Ku
Spurrier’s interview, which took place on Pat Dooley’s podcast, brought up a few Manning related topics that are often discussed. And most of these topics come down to one point. Would Arch Manning be receiving all the attention that he has received if his name last name wasn’t Manning? If his name was Arch Smith or Arch Johnson, would he be receiving the NIL money that he is currently receiving? Would he still be a Heisman Trophy favorite?
The answer to these questions is no. And to specifically answer Spurrier’s point of Manning not playing during the 2024 season. Yes, he did not play over a quarterback who turned out to be a seventh-round pick, but Quinn Ewers did lead the Longhorns to a 13-3 season and a berth in the Playoffs. The decision to start Manning over Ewers was one that Head Coach Steve Sarkisian was never going to make unless Ewers imploded on the field. And he didn’t.
Manning is already used to the attention and publicity, but he has never experienced the craziness that will follow him to Columbus, Ohio for the 2025 season opener at Ohio State. At that point many of the questions surrounding him will be answered. Until then, learn to deal with the consistent Manning critique.
