Knowing how to develop talent is just as important as having an eye to spot it. Arch Manning may have gotten a head start with one of the most famous surnames in football. Plus, he is super talented, so it may not have taken a genius to spot his potential. But it will still take a competent coaching staff to maximize the potential of his Hall-of-Fame genetics.
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Now that Quinn Ewers has officially handed over the Longhorns’ reins, Cam Newton is commending Texas for doing their due diligence and for being patient throughout Manning’s developmental process. Three years have passed since Manning first committed to Texas, and now his time has finally come.
Newton observed that the program had “put Arch Manning in the best situation to be developed“. Highlighting it, he implored more players to prioritize developing their skill sets over playing time. “It’s not about playing, that’s going to come,” said Newton.
“Who is going to develop this specific talent to be the best talent by the time he’s eligible to go to the next level? “A lot of parents and a lot of these players get so jaded off of the fact that, ‘Hey, I’m trying to play early’. No. Scratch that. Go somewhere that, after three years, you can put yourself in a position to go to the league.”
Simply put, “just because you’re starting doesn’t mean you’re getting developed,” reiterated Newton.
Arch Manning has enjoyed plenty of time to work on his craft while also getting a front row seat to the highest-rated quarterback prospect in recent times. Newton suggested that only “a fool” could ruin such an opportunity.
He explained his point by talking about his own journey in college.
“I’ve always felt like I was more talented than Tim Tebow, but I needed Tim Tebow to show me what I lacked. Tim Tebow is an unbelievable leader, verbally and by action,” said Newton.
“Arch would be a fool if he hadn’t learned anything from Quinn Ewers. How he prepared, how he led his team, and just how he handled and managed the expectations,” added the 2016 regular-season MVP and host of the 4th & One podcast.
According to the Carolina Panthers legend, the expectations on Manning are nothing short of colossal. “Another quarterback hasn’t had this much hype at Texas since the great Vince Young,” he added.
Manning’s name alone has been enough to generate some buzz. But a 325-passing-yard performance against Mississippi State has only furthered the anticipation surrounding his debut as a full-time starter.
Now that he’s proven he can carry his family’s football legacy, expect Darrell K Royal Texas Memorial Stadium to erupt. The crowd will hit a fever pitch the moment he steps onto that field. As Newton put it, “A name like Manning holds a lot of weight in this football world.”
Right now, Texas sits as the betting favorite to win the CFP National Championship. Manning also leads the odds for the 2025 Heisman Trophy. From oddsmakers to former NFL MVPs, everyone’s backing Manning and the Longhorns. They’re doing it with both their mouths and their wallets.
