AUSTIN (KXAN) — Arch Manning doesn’t want to stop doing “normal things.”
Now in the middle of spring practices as the Longhorns’ starting quarterback, Manning understands that people are going to view him as a celebrity. They did even when he was a backup, mainly because of the last name his grandpa Archie and uncles Peyton and Eli made so famous. Arch called the attention “undeserved” because he “hadn’t done anything yet.”
He still hasn’t technically done anything yet, but that doesn’t stop people from approaching him in public settings. Sometimes, he just wants to be a college kid and hang out with his friends, he said. A reporter asked him about a time recently he was at a restaurant and fans flocked to him.
“I can’t quit doing normal things,” he said. “I’m gonna go eat dinner with my buddies and be a normal college kid. Thankfully, I have good people in my corner, a good support group, family and friends who keep me honest. That’s been a key for me.”
On the field, Manning is already one of the team’s leaders. Head coach Steve Sarkisian said Manning is making the team’s defense better because of his competitiveness and will to win. Every practice is a chance for Manning to improve, Sarkisian said, and he’s not letting those go to waste.
“Arch is a naturally competitive guy,” Sarkisian said. “I think people gravitate to him and one of the things I see right now is naturally, he’s leading a group of maybe some younger players. Especially the skill spots…. his confidence I think helps them.”
That typically leads to some version of trash-talking between Manning and some defensive players, but it’s not something anyone takes personally. It’s all in good fun, but at the same time, the words hit with a punchy message.
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“Every day is competitive because they know 16 is going to bring it and if he gets them, he’s going to let them know about it,” Sarkisian said.
Manning singled out defensive end Colin Simmons, middle linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. and safety Michael Taaffe as his favorites to jaw at. Manning declined to repeat what’s said between them.
“I don’t know if it’s appropriate,” he said, getting laughs from media members.
“Colin (Simmons) talks a lot of smack,” Manning said. “It’s the competition we have on this team. Colin and Ant are good players, and it’s kinda fun in practice to talk a little crap to them. Taaffe, too. It just makes practice more fun.”
Quinn Ewers’ influence on this year’s team through Manning
While 3-year starting quarterback Quinn Ewers is pursuing an NFL career, Manning said he owes a lot to him. Manning admitted that “it was probably pretty annoying to have me as the backup” because of all the hype, but he said Ewers helped him grow into the starting role.
“With all the media stuff, Quinn handled it like a champ,” Manning said. “He’s just been so good to me over the years.”
Whenever Manning would jog on the field to take a snap, about 100,000 burnt orange-clad fans would go bonkers. It’s not every day that backup quarterback gets the loudest cheers of the day, but that’s what happened last season. Now, he’s the guy, and with that are more chances to foul up and potentially throw interceptions and make plays that fans don’t like. Manning said Ewers as prepared him for that.
“I would always talk about that with Quinn last year. For me, he was a great example,” Manning said. “He didn’t look at the media. He was the same guy whether he was getting praised or not.”
‘Not much difference’ in his preparation
It’s a clichè because it’s true. Manning prepared like he would start every game, even though he knew that Ewers would be the one taking snaps. Being put in a game as a backup is often reactionary by nature, but preparing for that moment has to have an element of being proactive. Manning knew that, and now that he’s the starter, he’s used to the workload.
“I’ve always wanted to play college football and be the quarterback at a big-time school,” Manning said. “I’m not going to take it for granted, that’s for sure.”
He doesn’t shy away from his feelings about being a backup, though. It wasn’t the easiest time for him because he was a 4-year starter in high school, but he knows the time to develop will help him in the long run.
He also said being a backup on his high school basketball team helped.
“It was tough,” he said. “There’s nowhere else I want to be. I want to be the quarterback at the University of Texas, so sometimes it’s worth the wait.”
In the meantime, he’s looking forward to his grandpa coming to Austin in a couple of weeks. And like those normal things he does with his friends and teammates, he wants to do the same with his grandpa — but under the radar.
“We’re going to get dinner … I don’t know. I don’t know if I want to tell everyone,” he said.
