Getty Image
Austin American-Statesman writer Cedric Golden appeared on the Paul Finebaum Show on Tuesday to talk SEC football. More specifically, the Heisman voter keyed in on new arrival, Texas, who’s set to officially join the league next season.
The Longhorns are expected to be an immediate threat in the conference after making a College Football Playoff run last season. Returning under center is starting QB Quinn Ewers, a big reason why many are so high on the team to continue building on that momentum.
Ewers had a decision to make after UT’s loss to Washington in the CFP opener: Join a loaded QB draft class with the likes of Heisman winners Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels, or return to Austin for one more go?
He chose the latter, much to the delight of head coach Steve Sarkisian.
But with that decision came consequences. One came in the form of position depth, with backup Maalik Murphy opting to transfer from Texas to Duke.
A potion of the media believed Arch Manning would follow suit in hopes of finding immediate playing time. Instead, he decided to return in a reserve role.
Cedric Golden was asked about that return by Paul Finebaum.
He praised Arch Manning for sticking at Texas while shading Maalik Murphy.
Arch Manning is built different, says @CedGolden, when it comes to sticking around at Texas despite Quinn Ewers being locked in as the starting QB.
“Had he been a member of any other family…he’d be gone.” pic.twitter.com/uH9Q5OV0lc
— Paul Finebaum (@finebaum) March 26, 2024
“Guys don’t stick around anymore, Paul,” Golden said. “They leave, and they go to where there’s a nice financial incentive to come and play. Maalik Murphy was the backup last year. He went to Duke, and I’m sure he got a bag.”
The writer then went on to praise Arch Manning, essentially for being born into the right family.
“[Arch Manning] is not built like other quarterbacks. The fact that he’s from a family of millionaires. He’s from the first family of QBs. So, I think he’s in a different headspace.
“He turned down the chance to be in the EA Sports video game because he’s not playing. That’s a Manning thing. Any other backup that was offered that would jump at the chance… If he’s a member of any other family, I think he’s already transferred by now.”
Having been born into that prominent family has allowed Manning not only the luxury of turning down NIL opportunities, but also being able to patiently wait in a reserve role rather than seek out playing time.
He’s set to be QB2 in the coming season. Once Ewers moves on, the Manning era at Texas will likely begin.