The focus on Arch Manning at Texas intensifies, partly due to head coach Steve Sarkisian’s public comments. While Manning undoubtedly draws extra attention because of his famous surname, realistic expectations need to be placed on the quarterback leading the Texas offense.
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Currently, Arch Manning is a capable college quarterback. However, he occasionally plays like an average passer, having already cost his team at least one game this season. Being the face of Texas football, Manning is under significant pressure. Unfortunately, his coach is not easing this pressure from a public perception standpoint.
On Monday, a reporter asked Sarkisian if the immense expectations on Manning would exist if the name on his jersey wasn’t ‘Manning.’ Sarkisian began with standard remarks about team dynamics but proceeded with an intriguing statement.
“I think if you took the name off the back of his jersey and you said ‘here’s Joe Smith playing quarterback at the University of Texas and here’s a guy that’s beaten four top-10 ranked teams in his last thirteen starts,’ we’d be praising him,” Sarkisian stated.
Sarkisian emphasized that expectations are high, saying, “We gotta put our nose back to the grind and get back to work.”
Critics argue that if Manning were ‘Joe Smith,’ Sarkisian would likely have tried other quarterbacks by now. Arch Manning’s inconsistency at Texas has been evident, yet that’s acceptable in college athletics, where he is unlikely to impress the audience each week.
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Some believe Texas is fortunate not to have more losses this season, given those fourth-quarter performances against Ohio State and the limited offensive threat from Tennessee outside their rushing game. While Sarkisian’s support doesn’t help Manning’s case, the quarterback isn’t yet a first-round prospect.
There’s a growing effort to justify Arch Manning’s average performance as a college quarterback by blaming his popularity for the criticism when things go wrong. In reality, any quarterback in his position would face similar scrutiny.
Despite the media’s narrative, Manning does not currently resemble a top-10 NFL Draft pick. Questions about whether he would receive such critique without his last name persist. Yet, some argue that without the Manning name, his achievements might not receive as much attention.
Ultimately, Sarkisian may need to reconsider the way he discusses Manning publicly. Continuing to make such statements could increase the scrutiny Manning faces if his performance does not improve.
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