In a season packed with sky-high expectations and some early stumbles, the Texas Longhorns have managed to stay in the College Football Playoff hunt. That’s mostly thanks to quarterback Arch Manning’s resurgence.
Manning’s start was rough—some even called him the biggest bust in college football history. Now, though, he’s found his rhythm and the Longhorns are sitting at 7-2.
Let’s take a look at how Texas managed to land Manning over Georgia, the wild recruitment process, and what it might mean for the Longhorns going forward.
Arch Manning’s Early Struggles and Turnaround
Manning’s first few games at Texas weren’t pretty. Critics were loud, and honestly, it was hard to blame them.
But lately? He’s shut a lot of people up. In just the last two games, he’s thrown for 674 yards and six touchdowns, which has kept Texas’ playoff hopes alive.
The Importance of Manning’s Performance
Texas started the season ranked No. 1 in both the coaches and AP polls. Sitting at 7-2 now, it’s not exactly what fans dreamed of, but it’s not a disaster either.
Given the rocky start and all the pressure on Manning, being within reach of their goals feels like a win. The next three games, starting with a huge one against Georgia, will probably decide their fate.
The Recruitment Battle: Texas vs. Georgia
Texas and Georgia were locked in a fierce battle for Arch Manning. He was one of the most sought-after recruits in college football, and both schools pulled out all the stops.
Each program had strong ties to the Manning family and made impressive offers. In the end, Texas came out on top, but it wasn’t a simple victory.
The Early Stages of Recruitment
After Manning’s freshman year at Isidore Newman in New Orleans, his family kept things quiet to avoid a media circus. Once his sophomore season wrapped up, he started making visits to schools like SMU, Clemson, LSU, Texas, Georgia, Alabama, and Ole Miss.
That first round of visits helped him narrow down his options.
Building Relationships
Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian and quarterbacks coach AJ Milwee were huge in building trust with Manning. Over at Georgia, then-offensive coordinator Todd Monken impressed the Mannings with his play-calling.
During his junior year, Manning made several campus visits. By then, Texas, Alabama, and Georgia had risen to the top.
Key Visits and Decisions
Manning went to several important games and visited both Texas and Georgia more than once. These trips really shaped his final choice.
Texas: A Strong Connection
While visiting Texas, Manning got to know recruits and players, especially those from Austin Westlake High School. His former coach, Nelson Stewart, said Texas kept things real and didn’t overdo the sales pitch.
Sarkisian was hands-on, and Milwee was always around. That kind of consistency seemed to matter.
Georgia: An Impressive Operation
Georgia also left a mark on Manning and his family. They liked how organized everything was, and head coach Kirby Smart’s energy stood out.
The facilities and the way the program ran made a strong impression too.
The Final Decision
After all the visits, Manning took a step back to think things through. Other schools were interested, but Texas and Georgia were clearly at the front.
On June 23, 2022, Manning announced he was committing to Texas.
The Role of Relationships
Coach Stewart said the relationships with the Texas staff ended up being the deciding factor. Sarkisian and Milwee’s genuine effort really stuck with the Mannings.
Landing Manning helped Texas pull in the No. 3 recruiting class for 2023.
Impact on Texas Football
Manning’s commitment—and his play since—have changed things for Texas. As he settles into the starting role, his growth and leadership are going to be huge for the Longhorns.
The next game against Georgia? It’s a big one, not just for the SEC, but for the whole playoff picture. No pressure, right?
Conclusion
Arch Manning’s decision to choose Texas over Georgia felt like a turning point in college football. There’s just something about a recruit of his caliber picking the Longhorns that shakes things up.
Sure, he hit a few bumps early on. But lately, Manning’s been showing flashes of exactly why everyone wanted him so badly.
His play has kept Texas in the playoff conversation. You can sense the energy around the program shifting a bit, honestly.
People are watching closely now, waiting to see if Manning can actually push the Longhorns to the next level. No pressure, right?
If you want to dig deeper into how Texas managed to land Arch Manning and what it all means, check out the full article on CBS Sports.
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