Steve Spurrier Criticizes Arch Manning Quarterback Role at Texas

Legendary coach Steve Spurrier has expressed skepticism about the heavy preseason hype surrounding Texas quarterback Arch Manning ahead of the 2025 college football season. Spurrier questioned why Manning, despite being a Heisman Trophy favorite, did not start over Quinn Ewers during the 2024 season, suggesting that the decision reflected coaching confidence in Ewers rather than Manning's superiority. While Spurrier's criticism has been called a lazy take, Ewers' prior success leading Texas to a Big 12 championship and playoff appearances provides context for his starting role. Manning, who played sparingly last year but showed promise with 939 passing yards and 13 touchdowns, has acknowledged the difficulty of waiting his turn but remains committed to Texas. Critics note that much of Manning's hype stems from his prestigious football lineage, raising questions about whether he would receive similar attention if not a Manning. As Manning prepares to take the reins fully in 2025, the intense scrutiny and debate about his abilities and potential will continue, with many awaiting his performance in high-profile games to settle the discussion.