Texas football has gotten used to false dawns over the years. They tend to come in waves, spearheaded by a high-profile recruit, a momentous result or perhaps a sudden coaching change.
Then, reality sets in. Hope turns into apathy after a few losses. Dreams dissolve into dust as the rigors of yet another ill-fated college football season come to pass. Then, the cycle restarts.
The Longhorns have been mired in mediocrity for the better part of a decade. Still, they've managed to grab hold of perhaps the most hyped high school prospect in recent memory — Arch Manning.
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The prodigal grandson has all the makings of a future pro. There's a reason why every blue-chip program in the nation was after him.
So, just why did Manning — the heir apparent of the Manning quarterbacking dynasty — opt for Austin instead of, say, Alabama? Here's what you need to know:
Why did Arch Manning pick Texas over Alabama?
Manning's decision to spurn Crimson Tide blushes for the Longhorns was a methodical one. The New Orleans native received plenty of roses. But his heart yearned for burnt orange.
The reason why? According to grandfather Archie Manning, it was all due to one factor: Texas' coaching.
The Longhorns are helmed by Steve Sarkisian, a QB guru with a reputation for helping develop talented passers. Sarkisian can count Matt Leinart, Tua Tagovailoa and Mac Jones as players to have progressed under his tutelage.
"I think he did his due diligence, I think he took a great look at a lot of schools," Archie Manning said. "I know he made four visits to Texas, four visits to Georgia, four visits to Alabama, I know he had a hard time telling coach Saban and coach Smart no, but he made his choice and he wanted to play for coach Sark.”
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Numerous pundits assumed as much, believing that Sarkisian earned a stamp of approval from Manning's famous relatives.
“Steve Sarkisian is one of the top quarterback coaches, and top play-callers in all of football," ESPN's Pete Thamel said. "He’s been an NFL offensive coordinator with the Falcons. He was an NFL quarterbacks coach with the Raiders. Obviously, we saw the assembly line of high-end quarterbacks under his tutelage at Alabama, Tua Tagovailoa to Mac Jones."
All of that bodes well for Manning, who many believe could be a top pick when his draft eligibility hits in 2026. Sarkisian has proved himself to be more than capable of cultivating pro-level talent. His next project could be sculpting yet another Manning standout in the pro game.
