Arch Manning’s famous last name is both a blessing and a curse.

The Texas quarterback has received plenty of attention — not to mention countless resources and opportunities — on account of who he is, and more specifically, who he is related to

Yet that also has marked him for attention. Legions of eyeballs follow his every move, hoping to bear witness to the next great quarterback.

Many assumed the top recruit in this year’s class would be stepping into a starting role out the jump once he got on campus. And yet their Manning stands, fixed to the sideline, clipboard in one hand, helmet in the other. He’s firmly entrenched behind the likes of Quinn Ewers on Texas depth chart. And it’s leaving a lot of college football connoisseurs wondering: just why is Arch, widely viewed as one of the best quarterback prospects in recent memory to come out of the high school ranks, tethered to the bench?

Manning saw his first action during Texas’ blowout of Texas Tech on Black Friday. He came off the bench in relief of Quinn Ewers late in the third quarter with the Longhorns leading 50-7. Manning was 2-for-5 for 30 yards on two drives, the first of which ended with a failed fourth down and the other a Texas rushing touchdown. He also had seven rushing yards

He threw two short passes on his initial drive, both incomplete in the end zone. Earlier on the drive, he scrambled for five yards on one play and ran for 12 on another. He also was credited with a 10-yard loss when he fumbled a shotgun snap and recovered it.

Despite being named the No. 1 recruit in the country by various outlets, Manning’s decision to attend Texas was a curious one. Namely because the Longhorns have about as loaded a quarterback room as there is in the country.

Manning joined a unit already teeming with talent; Quinn Ewers was the No. 1 recruit in the country back in 2021 and arrived to Austin with heaps of fanfare, with many believing he had the makings of a potential first-overall pick in the future. Filling out the corps is another highly-touted hurler: redshirt freshman Maalik Murphy. Murphy is a hulking figure in the pocket, a 6’5, 238-pound ball of fury who earned four-star billing while in high school.

Murphy didn’t see game action in 2022. But he featured prominently in Texas’ spring game. And he showcased improving skills, completing nine of 13 passes for 165 yards and a touchdown.

All of that is to say, there’s a gleaming pile of hurling talent developing in Austin. That leaves Manning as the odd man out, at least to start the season.