"There's not a QB battle at Texas": CFB analyst on Arch Manning's depth chart position after 2024 spring game performance

The Texas Longhorns' spring game will bring many differing opinions as backup quarterback Arch Manning had an incredible game while starting quarterback Quinn Ewers struggled in his few series. That has gotten the college football world talking about a possible new starting quarterback for the program.

On3's J.D. PicKell discussed how people are looking for a quarterback controversy but that what Quinn Ewers did last season carries tremendous weight compared to a staged scrimmage.

"People are going to come away from this game, and they have seen a couple of plays, more than likely just two plays," PicKell said. "The first, Quinn Ewers throwing a pick-six on a tipped pass. Alfred Collins grabs it, runs it to the house. ... Then, you see Arch Manning dropping 75-yard bombs.

"You know this is coming. We are going to get ahead of it here. People are going to say, 'Is there a quarterback controversy in Austin?' Absolutely not."

Quinn Ewers had a solid 2023 season as he went 272-for-394 (69.0%) for 3,479 yards with 22 touchdowns to six interceptions while making the College Football Playoff and winning the Big 12 championship game.

What happens next for the Texas Longhorns at the quarterback position?

As J.D. PicKell said, one spring game, which is a glorified practice, will not change the coaching staff's opinion on the starting quarterback for the program. Arch Manning's performance is not going to sway the decision one way or another as this was just Manning and UT preparing for the future.

Manning had an incredible game, going 19 of 26 for 355 yards with three touchdowns and one interception, according to Texas. This game is a good sign for the future and proves that the Longhorns should not flinch if Quinn Ewers suffers an injury and misses games, something that has happened in Ewers' two seasons of college football.

UT coach Steve Sarkisian discussed the quarterback position after the game and talked about how talented the quarterback room is.

"I know what Quinn's about. Quinn's had a great spring. ... We're very fortunate at the quarterback position to have a third-year starter to have the backup we have," Sarkisian said, according to ESPN.

For the time being, Quinn Ewers is going to start, but do not be surprised to see Arch Manning finding the field at certain points, whether it be injury or a blowout.