Arch Manning doesn’t see action in first game at Texas; fans irate

Arch Manning was the No. 1 player in the 2023 recruiting class. Heck, the son of Cooper Manning, nephew of Eli and Peyton Manning and grandson of Archie Manning was one of the highest-rated recruits of all time.

On Saturday, Manning could have seen some action in his first collegiate game for the Texas Longhorns as his team worked on a blowout win over Rice.

Manning wasn’t second on the depth chart behind starter Quinn Ewers. That honor went to Maalik Murphy. But late in the third quarter, Manning was spotted getting loose on the sidelines:

Spotted: @ArchManning getting loose ? ? @TexasFootball pic.twitter.com/rVoxmciJCu

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 2, 2023

Once the fourth quarter began, fans were expecting to see Manning on the field leading the offense. Instead, he stayed on the bench and didn’t get in the game at all as the Longhorns won 37-10.

Manning would be the last person to complain about not seeing action in his first college game, but we’ll let Texas fans take it from here, as they certainly had plenty to say on social media:

@ArchManning You deserve better than this my dude. Hit that portal and go to a school that appreciate your talent.
Your coach reminds me of Paul Westhead on HBO's Winning Time. And you are Magic Johnson.

— wise tortoise (@rockyracoon1981) September 2, 2023

So Arch Manning isn’t even the backup. He’s actually third behind another freshman. Why would he go to a school loaded with freshman and Sophmore to compete with. Lol

— Matt Beller (@mbeller83) September 2, 2023

Arch Manning should have went to Alabama. I’m expecting him to be there next year.

— AC (@AC_TheGoldenBoy) September 2, 2023

https://twitter.com/A_Lanier20/status/1698105766337482949

https://twitter.com/mikeace33/status/1698104996791771163

https://twitter.com/Paytriot_X/status/1698103888132370699

The “greatest prospect” Arch Manning couldn’t beat out Quinn Ewers pic.twitter.com/gRcMOKA9aR

— Big Man (@Whatchamccaul1t) September 2, 2023

Arch Manning is the 3rd string QB????

— Penny's Thoughts (@PennysThoughts2) September 2, 2023

Texas plays at Alabama next weekend in one of the biggest nonconference games of the year. Barring something extreme happening, it doesn’t seem likely he’ll see his first collegiate snaps in that contest.

But crazy things happen, especially when it comes to QB injuries for Texas when it plays Alabama (just ask Ewers). Hopefully everyone stays healthy, but if they don’t, Manning will be ready to play if his name is called.

Adam Spencer

Adam is a daily fantasy sports (DFS) and sports betting expert. A 2012 graduate of the University of Missouri, Adam now covers all 16 SEC football teams. He is the director of DFS, evergreen and newsletter content across all Saturday Football brands.