NFL scouts dissect Texas Longhorns QB Arch Manning’s struggles through four games
The first SEC road test is this weekend for Texas and Arch Manning.
Arch Manning has bounced back nicely from a Week 1 loss. But, the jury is still out on the former five-star, No. 1 overall player in the country. The Texas Longhorns are still in the Top 10 and 3-1, but there are still a lot of unknowns.
Manning has been as good as anyone statistically since Week 2 (13 touchdowns is tops in SEC), but there still seems to be a long ways to go. And that’s okay!
The Athletic spoke with NFL scouts and college coaches about Manning’s growth as a first-year starter and try to pinpoint what exactly it is holding him back.
Arch Manning admitted he was pressing.
“He’s a terrific athlete, and he throws the deep ball as good as anybody I’ve ever been around,” one Texas program source told me, who added that he expects Manning will bounce back this season as he settles in.
“He was gripping the ball a little tightly,” added a second Texas program source.
The red zone woes continue for the Longhorns as Steve Sarkisian’s offense is just 15th in red zone touchdown percentage. The struggles have also been evident on third downs. Texas is 12th in third down offense. A lot of the issues stem from a lack of run game. This weekend, Sarkisian and Texas expect to get Tre Wisner and CJ Baxter back. If it happens, we could see an offense get back on track.
Arch Manning by the numbers
- 5th in passing touchdowns (9)
- 11th in passing yards (888)
- 13th in QBR (57.2)
- 14th in completion percentage (61.3)
There is also a growing concern Arch Manning might have the “yips”.
There are rumblings around the scouting world there’s a real concern about him having something going on mentally. An NFL scouting director told Bruce Feldman Manning’s tape from the Ohio State loss was “ugly”.
“He’s talented, but he needs to get rid of what’s going on with him,” he said. “I don’t know if it’s all mental, but I do know he’s dealing with a level of pressure that nobody else we’re talking about is dealing with.
“We just need to see a lot more of him before anybody can make a determination about him. He just really hasn’t played a lot. It’s OK to be a little bit developmental and still have high upside. You just gotta let him develop.”
Texas Longhorns News
Texas Longhorns HC Steve Sarkisian expects to have two major playmakers back for the SEC opener versus Florida
Huge boost coming for Arch Manning and the Texas offensive attack.
The one thing Arch Manning deals with most don’t is the immense pressure.
He’s been billed as the next big thing since he was in middle school. He’s been idolized in the media his entire life. Now, he has seen some adversity and everyone has immediately written him off. Sarkisian is one of the best when it comes to developing quarterbacks and it’s still far too early to say he’s a bust.
There are several multi-year starters struggling this year. Cade Klubnik, Garrett Nussmeier, Drew Allar, and LaNorris Sellers have all had ups and downs this season. Are these quarterbacks talented? Yes. Is playing quarterback at the Power 4 level hard? Yes. People just need to relax and remember Manning has only truly been “the guy” for four games.
This weekend at the Swamp is going to reveal a lot. And if it doesn’t, that’s okay, too.
