Texas’ Arch Manning Facing Unfair Criticism After Rough Start

Arch Manning’s first month as Texas’ full-time starter has been defined less by what he’s done and more by what everyone else expects him to do.

Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian has repeatedly said the expectations surrounding his quarterback have become unrealistic, and ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg captured that sentiment perfectly in a recent feature.

“He throws a bad pass, he’s the worst quarterback in the world. He throws a good pass, he’s gonna win the Heisman,” one SEC coordinator told ESPN. “Like, goodness gracious, just let the kid play for a little bit.”  

Despite some early struggles, the general view of Manning, both within and outside the program, is that his outlook remains promising. 

In a way, this is on the media as the expectations have been ridiculous from the start.

“He’s just going through it, man,” a Texas source said. 

He’s still learning, adjusting, figuring it out like any first-year starter would. But because of his last name and the spotlight that comes with it, every poor play gets magnified.

While he hasn’t yet met the lofty expectations around him, coaches believe he has all the tools to shine long term.

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Arch Manning’s Critics Are Loud, But Context Tells a Different Story

Through five starts, Manning has shown flashes of why he was so highly touted, throwing for 1,158 passing yards, 11 touchdowns, and a team-high five rushing scores. 

Texas lost multiple NFL draft picks last spring, including star linemen Kelvin Banks Jr. and DJ Campbell, and leading receiver Matthew Golden.

The new-look offense has lacked rhythm, and Manning has often been left scrambling behind a line that ranks near the bottom of the nation in pressure rate (40.9%).

Arch was sacked six times during Texas’s most recent game against Florida.  

Even opposing coaches have noted that the Longhorns’ supporting cast has made life difficult for their young quarterback.

“It’s kind of like running back by committee with them right now,” one said. “The receivers are just OK. That, to me, is the bigger story. I don’t think the pieces around him are elite.”

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Time To Develop

In year 1 as a starter, the most important thing for Arch Manning is to continue to learn, grow and mature on and off the field. 

Quarterback trainer David Morris, who’s worked with Manning since the fifth grade, said his progress is right on track: “The first season, and particularly the first half of the first season, when you’re a starter, there’s a natural progression. It just takes time to play your best football.”

As one opposing coach told ESPN, “When you’re the quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys or the University of Texas, you’re one of the most scrutinized people in the world. I just truly believe that kid is going to be fine, if mentally he can weather the storm of the media and all these things. He’s a [five-game] starter and getting his wings under him.”

That perspective sums up the reality of Manning’s situation. It’s not just learning an offense, but learning how to live under constant public judgment. Every throw, every expression, becomes a talking point. 

And yet, for a player barely a month into his starting career, that is a massive amount of pressure to handle all at once. 

The upcoming Red River Rivalry against Oklahoma’s top-ranked defense will be another test, but also another opportunity for Manning to continue to develop. 

The Longhorns face the No. 6 ranked Oklahoma Sooners on Saturday.

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