“Too Talented to Sit”: Arch Manning’s Highly Anticipated 2024 Football Path Gets a Reality Check

It’s that time of the year again. Folks across the world are picking their sides in the classic Arch Manning debate that has been brewing below the surface for the past season. Manning, carrying the legacy of the historical Manning family, was benched in his freshman year by Alabama’s former head coach Nick Saban. Originally, it was Maalik Murphy who primarily backed up the Alabama starting QB Quinn Ewers at number 2, while Manning filled in the number 3 position.

However, with Murphy transferring to Duke, Manning’s promotion to the competition for the position of starting QB was written on the wall. The challenge for Arch Manning is Ewers, who has reportedly foregone his entry in the NFL draft to return to the campus. With this, Manning surely has fierce competition for the starting QB position. Hence, after weighing out a lot of pros and cons, Manning gets a reality check by an ON3 analyst.

Does Arch Manning still need time?

“He’s far too talented to not be playing. He’s far too talented to sit on the bench for another season and to that I would say, I don’t disagree, he’s enormously talented,” confessed JD Pickell, speaking highly about Manning’s talent. Even though Manning has yet to make a substantial play on the ground, reports from Manning’s spring practice sessions have drawn attention toward him. Moreover, with his record-breaking 7,000 plus yardage and nearly 80 touchdowns in his high school career, he overtook his uncles. In addition, he led Isidore Newman to the postseason each year as a starter. Yet, per Pickell, Manning would be better at sharpening his saw in the 2024 season.

“I’m not saying you’re wrong that he’s not super talented but is he more talented? Does he give you a better chance to win football games than Quin Ewers? Have we really seen anything that makes us feel with 1,00% certainty he is the better option for you on the 40 acres right now in 2024 over a quarterback who’s going into year three and has done a lot of good things for you happen to feel like that’s not necessarily the case?” Pickell stated, raising the obvious questions for Manning and his coaches to answer. His coach, on the other hand, has faith in the progress Manning is exhibiting.

Kyle Flood on Arch Manning

Texas offensive coordinator Kyle Flood believes that Manning is showing increased practice reps during Bowl preparation. “He approaches everything like he’s the starting quarterback,” Flood said of Manning. “And I think that’s the key, whenever you’re in a reserve role, to being ready whenever you’re called upon. We’ve got a ton of confidence in Arch.”

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Flood’s words of praise have not only shunned the naysayers overlooking the talent Manning possesses, along with his family name, but also have given the fans a beacon of hope who were anticipating some action from the QB this season.

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