Why is Arch Manning not starting for Texas?

Arch Manning, the nephew of NFL legends Peyton and Eli Manning, is the Texas Longhorns' backup quarterback to start the 2023 season.

Arch is a five-star recruit for the Texas Longhorns and is currently in his freshman season at Austin. He was rated as the best player in the Longhorns' 2023 Recruiting Class by 247Sports.

Nonetheless, head coach Steve Sarkisian made clear during spring that Quinn Ewers would be Texas' starter for the season. Ewers beat out competition from Manning and Maalik Murphy after a strong showing in the spring.

"I think it's pretty clear to say Quinn's our starting quarterback, and we feel very good about that."

Given how Texas' season has transpired so far, Arch Manning is unlikely to take center stage this year. However, he remains the Longhorns' future as they step into the Southeastern Conference next year.

Arch's father, the lesser-known Cooper Manning, was also a highly-rated wide receiver recruit at Ole Miss but had his playing days cut short due to spinal stenosis.

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Arch Manning and his famous uncles

Arch Manning's uncles, Eli and Payton Manning, both had hugely successful NFL careers after being selected first overall in 2004 and 1998 respectively.

Eli attended the family's alma mater, the University of Mississippi, and played in the NFL with the New York Giants. He famously defeated Tom Brady's New England Patriots in two Super Bowls.

Arch Manning's uncle, Eli Manning

Meanwhile, Peyton is widely considered one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time, alongside Tom Brady and Joe Montana.

Peyton betrayed family tradition and attended the University of Tennessee, before playing for the Indianapolis Colts and the Denver Broncos in the NFL, earning a title with each team. Famously, he won his second ring in the last game of his career, in Super Bowl 50.

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Texas Longhorns' victory over Alabama

Steve Sarkisian and the Texas Longhorns handed the Alabama Crimson Tide its first double-digit loss in Tuscaloosa of the Nick Saban era with a 34-24 win on Saturday.

Texas Alabama Football

In the prime-time game of Week 2, Alabama committeds mistakes that led to unnecessary penalties. The 10 penalties cost Bama 90 yards and two touchdown plays that would have flipped the game at the end of the second quarter and the beginning of the third.

Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers looked like a man on a mission as he calmly guided No. 11 Texas with 349 yards and three touchdown passes. No. 3 Alabama only led for two minutes between the third and fourth quarters. The fourth quarter was all Texas, with the Longhorns outscoring Bama 21-7.