"Don't think Arch Manning is 100% ready": CFB Insider's surprising statement on Texas backup QB amid Quinn Ewers' injury

Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers is still rehabilitating from his injury sustained during the game against UTSA. Thus, backup Arch Manning got the opportunity to be the QB1 of the team during last weekend's showdown against Louisiana Monroe.

Manning was successful in leading the Longhorns to a 51-3 victory and putting up a four-game winning streak.

Despite his stellar performance, college football insider Greg McElroy still has his doubts about Arch Manning. He believes that Quinn Ewers is still the key for Texas to be a contender for the national championship this season.

During an appearance on the Zach Gelb Show on Thursday, McElroy talked about how Arch is still developing his skills and experience. He then went on to state that he is not yet ready to be the QB to lead Texas to a national championship.

"He's obviously very talented, we know that. The ball placement is pretty dang good for a freshman. We've seen athleticism that I don't think a lot of people anticipated, but I was not shocked by it. I knew this was a guy that could run if necessary. And I also seen a guy that's made some freshman mistakes.

"Those that have said, 'You know this guy is going to be the greatest thing since sliced bread', I don't know if I'm willing to go that far just yet. I think he has all the tools to become an elite player, but he's still young, and we need him to treat him as such."

He then added:

"So, I'm glad that Quinn is going to be back at some point here very soon because I don't think Arch is 100 % ready to be the every down guy for the national championship favorite at the moment. But I do think his time is coming."

So far this season, Arch Manning has recorded a total of 572 passing yards, seven touchdowns and two interceptions. When Quinn Ewers was injured early in the game against UTSA, he led the offense splendidly and took the Longhorns to a 56-7 victory.

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Quinn Ewers' injury update

The SEC released the initial injury report for Week 5 of the 2024 college football season. And in them, Quinn Ewers' status has been marked as questionable for Texas' upcoming game against Mississippi State.

Quinn Ewers suffered an abdominal strain in the second quarter of the showdown against UTSA. This led to him being sidelined for the rest of the game and also last week's victory against LA-Monroe. Steve Sarkisian did report that the QB took part in practice on Monday.

Thus, it will be interesting to see if Ewers makes a comeback against Mississippi State. Considering the fact that this is his last collegiate campaign, Ewers will be looking to help Texas be a contender for the natty this season.