Arch Manning's father Cooper echoes Texas' famous chant after Steve Sarkisian & Co triumphs over Texas A&M

Texas Longhorns fans had plenty to celebrate after a 17-7 win over Texas A&M. The win secured their spot in the SEC Championship game. Cooper Manning, the father of Texas backup quarterback Arch Manning, was among the most excited.

Cooper uploaded two photos on Instagram. In the first one, he's enjoying the Thanksgiving dinner with family and friends, while the second picture is of a Texas player outrunning an Aggies player and scoring a touchdown. Cooper captioned the post:

"Happy Thanksgiving and Hook ‘Em!"

The game was a true battle, with the No. 3 Longhorns (11-1, 7-1 SEC ) overcoming the No. 19 Texas A&M (9-4, 5-3 SEC) at a packed Kyle Field. Quintrevion Wisner stole the show with 186 rushing yards while the Longhorns’ defense dominated the Aggies.

Quarterback Quinn Ewers had a mixed performance, throwing for 218 yards and a touchdown but also committing two turnovers. Cooper’s son, Arch, also made an impact, rushing for Texas’ first touchdown on a 15-yard run, showing a different side of his potential.

The Longhorns now set their sights on Georgia in a high-stakes SEC Championship showdown in Atlanta next week.

What does Arch Manning's future look like?

The spotlight on the Texas QB2 is brighter than ever. Questions are aplenty about where his future lies, in Texas or elsewhere. Boasting a $3.1 million NIL valuation (as per On3), Manning has impressed in limited action this season but remains a backup to Quinn Ewers.

Ewers was not his usual self this year, having a run-in with injuries and inconsistent form. However, with Sarkisian backing him and the QB1 not making great headway in the 2025 NFL draft, Ewers will likely return for another season. This means Manning may once again find himself playing second fiddle to him in 2025.

Manning’s performance in 2024 showed the CFB world that he’s ready for QB1 responsibilities. In six games, including two starts, he’s registered 939 passing yards, nine touchdowns, a 79.3 QBR and three rushing touchdowns.

The potential is there for everyone to see, but staying behind Ewers for another season might not be an option for Manning. A transfer to Alabama is one intriguing scenario that has been making the rounds on the internet.

Once a contender for Manning’s commitment, the Crimson Tide could provide the perfect stage. Alabama HC Kalen DeBoer’s system is ideal for Manning to shine.

However, Alabama’s quarterback room complicates the picture. Jalen Milroe’s eligibility extends into 2025, and Arch Manning would not likely switch teams to face a similar situation in Tuscaloosa again.