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Texas Longhorn football fans have officially moved past the point of being able to shield themselves from a potential recruiting letdown.
It is easy to say a recruit was never interested in a school when they commit elsewhere. Fans often point to specific occurrences during the recruiting process to prove that athlete never intended to attend their program. That rationale helps take away the sting of rejection after losing a coveted prospect. It also shifts the focus to other available recruits who are seemingly more interested in joining the program.
There have been a few skeptics who questioned if Arch Manning is serious about potentially joining the Longhorns. Manning has family ties to Ole Miss and could easily follow in Uncle Eli or Grandpa Archie’s footsteps. LSU is appealing because Manning could play college football in Louisiana and traveling to home games would be a short drive for the family. Alabama makes sense because Manning could play for the greatest college football coach of all time. Georgia, like Alabama, allows Manning to compete for a national championship every year. It was easy to dismiss Texas as a serious contender – or the team to beat – for Manning because other programs seemingly had more to offer. However, the latest Manning news should eliminate any remaining skepticism about where Texas stands.
Manning believes in Texas football coach Steve Sarkisian.
The courtship of Manning continues.
Longhorn fans recently learned Manning intends to visit Texas during spring football practice. Inside Texas was the first to report Manning intends to visit UT on March 24. That report is correct, meaning Manning’s interest in Texas has moved beyond the casual dating phase.
The first date is usually the easiest to obtain. You said a few things that sparked her interest. She was intrigued enough to move past your bad pickup lines to see if there might be a connection. Obtaining a second date is a great sign. You did not bomb on the first date and hid your addiction to OB long enough to obtain date number two. If she agrees to a third date, you are successfully moving toward obtaining pet names, public displays of affection, meeting her friends, and buying her pajamas for sleepovers.
Manning originally visited Texas on June 12.
He visited Texas when the Longhorns hosted Oklahoma State on October 16.
Now, Manning is planning to visit Texas for the third time in nine months.
Sarkisian needs to give Manning his letterman jacket and gold chain to make it official during next month’s visit.
We must start by giving Sarkisian a lot of credit.
Typically, a first-year coach who struggles to produce wins is put on the back burner by elite recruits. Sometimes they elect to take an easier path and commit to programs with fewer question marks. Some athletes are willing to take a wait-and-see approach because they want to see improvement on the field before committing.
Charlie Strong was forced to recruit in Florida after struggling in year one.
Tom Herman began recruiting out west after finishing 7-6 in year one.
Sarkisian and the Longhorns struggled in year one. Sarkisian finished with five wins and his team was not bowl eligible. The team lost six straight games. An embarrassing home loss against “that” team occurred.
However, Sarkisian did not lose any footing in the recruitment of Manning.
Sarkisian’s greatest gift might be the ability to sell his vision to recruits and coaches. During the midst of a losing season, Sarkisian successfully obtained the commitments from elite athletes. Texas finished below .500 but finished with the fifth-ranked class. Sarkisian convinced Tashard Choice to leave Lincoln Riley after a few days at USC to join Texas. He convinced Brennan Marion to leave Pitt and coach at Texas. Former TCU coach Gary Patterson believed in Sarkisian enough to join the staff as an analyst.
If Noah had Sarkisian, the coach may have rounded up every animal for the boat ride in one day.
That is how convincing Sarkisian is as a recruiter.
Sarkisian’s history of developing quarterbacks is one reason why the Manning family is highly interested in Arch becoming a Longhorn. When you coach Jake Locker, Matt Leinart, Carson Palmer, Cody Kessler, Tua Tagovailoa, and Mac Jones, it is easy to earn a quarterback whisperer reputation.
The Manning family understands and respects the process of quarterback development. I was told they are not overly concerned with Arch playing as a true freshman. In addition, they do not view college as a three-year detour before the NFL draft, even if it is unlikely the quarterback will need to spend four years in a program before he is ready for the next level.
Instead, they want to attend a school that will allow Arch to have success in college and prepare him for the NFL. They believe Sarkisian is the conduit to that goal.
The Mannings were not discouraged by Texas’ 5-7 record in 2021. I was told they believe in Sarkisian’s vision and view last season as part of the rebuilding process. Yes, they would have loved to see more wins. Heck, if Texas finished 9-3 or 10-2 last season, the competition for Manning might be over and Sarkisian could may have smoked a victory cigar by now. However, they are willing to listen.
Obtaining Quinn Ewers was a bonus, too.
Ewers is a former 5-star quarterback who the Manning family is familiar with, according to those close to the situation. I was told the Mannings believe Ewers is extremely talented and his commitment to Texas resonated. The family is eager to see Ewers in Sarkisian’s offense because they believe in his abilities as a quarterback. If Ewers excels as a quarterback at Texas, it becomes easier for the Mannings to envision Arch having the same success as a Longhorn.
Those close to the situation believe Manning will wait until the fall to announce his decision. You have followed recruiting long enough to know that the plans of a teenager can change at any moment. Every parent of a teenager understands how quickly their children can transition from one plan to another. Arch may want to wait until the fall but feel comfortable enough to make a decision this spring.
If Manning decides to wait, Texas is the program that benefits more than any other school.
Alabama does not need to win another championship to convince the Mannings it has a great program.
Georgia just won a national title.
The Mannings know everything about Ole Miss.
Other than questioning the authenticity of Brian Kelly’s southern accent, the family is familiar with LSU.
The Mannings are familiar with each school. Barring an unexpected coaching resignation or scandal, those schools are out of new recruiting pitches. Those schools have to reemphasize what was previously said.
Texas is the main program that benefits from Manning waiting to make a decision. A fast start and competitive game against Alabama would help. A 5-1 record after Texas-Oklahoma could have Sarkisian in the catbird seat.
LSU finished 6-7 and an argument could be made that a breakthrough in Baton Rouge could help the Tigers.
However, Sarkisian has seemingly pulled up to Manning’s recruitment in a 1978 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am, and has the quarterback’s undivided attention.
Manning believes in Texas football coach Steve Sarkisian.
Arch’s upcoming visit on March 24 is the latest reminder.
The courtship of Manning continues.
Funniest Things You Will See This Week
Here is a fun revisit of Texas’ national championship
This is for the proud moms and those who had one in their lives
We knew which kid will get left out of the trust (bad language alert)
A little late, but cat lovers will enjoy it
Sports On A Dime
1. Quinn Ewers has become become the face of this football program.
2. Texas running back Bijan Robinson is in great company. Javonte Williams emerged into a second-round pick by Denver in 2021, while Travis Etienne was a first-round pick by Jacksonville last year.
3. Speaking of Robinson, Ari Tempkin and I had a great discussion this past week. Which individual award would best reflect a successful 2022 season for Texas - Bijan Robinson winning the Heisman or Xavier Worthy winning the Biletnikoff Award?
4. Here is a list of former Longhorns recently selected in the USFL draft:
24. Wide Receiver, Brennan Eagles, Texas (Philadelphia Stars)
76. Cornerback, Davante Davis, Texas (Tampa Bay Bandits)
108. Defensive Tackle, Chris Nelson, Texas (Philadelphia Stars)
159. Kicker, Nick Rose, Texas (New Jersey Generals)
5. Grambling head coach Hue Jackson deserves every ounce of criticism from Doug Williams (via the Washington Post) for hiring Art Briles. After being forced to walk back allegations of being offered money to throw NFL games, Jackson followed that up a few weeks later by hiring Briles.
“Former Grambling star quarterback Doug Williams, who went on to the NFL and led Washington to victory in Super Bowl XXII, claiming MVP honors, said he was disappointed by the hire. Williams, now a special adviser to Commanders President Jason Wright, said he spoke to Grambling Athletic Director Trayveon Scott a few times and the program knew where he stood on the hiring.
“I don’t know Art Briles; I’ve never met him in my life,” said Williams, who also had two stints as Grambling’s coach. “But the situation, nobody else would hire him for whatever reason. I don’t know why Grambling State had to go be the one to hire him, so I’m not a fan at all.”
“Asked whether he would continue to support the program, Williams said: “Oh, no. I can’t do that. No, no, no. If I support them, I condone it.”
6. Here are a few interesting transfer portal numbers by Rivals
7. If you are looking for inspiration to start your week, grab your Kleenex
8. Richard Jefferson pulled the receipts on Gilbert Arenas.
9. If a portion of this ESPN article about F1 preseason testing is correct, what I watched was equivalent to winter conditioning or spring football?
“Lap times tend to be misleading during preseason, especially during the opening few days, with multiple unknown variables such as fuel loads, engine modes and general car set-up. Times set at different points in the day, when weather and temperature can change drastically, is another variable in play.
“Despite a quieter third day in terms of outright times, the feeling in the F1 paddock is that McLaren and Ferrari have both had a hugely encouraging start to preseason and both were very productive in terms of mileage on Friday.
“McLaren completed 138 laps between Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo either side of the lunch break, while Ferrari managed 136 between Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc.”
10. Mike Tyson’s viewpoints are always fascinating. He is just wired differently.
