Arch Manning's Texas Journey

[jbcarol]

Arch Manning's 'EA Sports College Football 25' decision

Andrew Olson | 41 minutes ago

Arch Manning is not in the game.

Texas football insider Anwar Richardson reported Monday evening that Manning will not opt into the "EA Sports College Football 25" video game set for release this summer. If he does not opt-in, Manning will be replaced on the Texas roster by a generic avatar.

 

[jbcarol]

ESPN: Arch Manning wants to be a guy at Texas before opting into EA Sports' College Football video game (or signing a NIL Deal )
by:
Grant Grubbs
•

On3's Pete Nakos reported Texas quarterback Arch Manning will not opt into EA Sports' upcoming NCAA Football video game. Less than 24 hours later, ESPN's Mark Schlabach revealed why Manning decided not to be a part of the legendary franchise.

"Manning, who attempted only five passes in one game as Quinn Ewers' backup in 2023, wanted to wait until 'he was the guy' at Texas, the source said," Schlabach wrote.

Over 10,000 players have already opted into the game. Each player who does will receive $600 from EA and a free copy of the game. Evidently, the offer wasn't enough to entice Manning, who boasts a $2.8 million On3 NIL Valuation.

Arch Manning was the No. 1 overall recruit in the Class of 2023. However, he was just another quarterback in Texas' loaded QB room this past season.

Manning wants to continue to climb up the ladder before allowing fans across the country to play as him on their gaming consoles. Manning's uncle and former New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning addressed Arch's depth chart situation in February.

"He picked Texas because that's where he wants to be," Eli Manning said. "That's where he wants to play football. He likes coach [Steve] Sarkisian and his offense and what they're doing. He knew last year that he was gonna go, he was gonna redshirt, get some playing time.

"Obviously, I think the plan was [Quinn] Ewers would maybe go in the NFL, but he's there. It's another year for for Arch to mature, learn the offense, get bigger and stronger in the weight room, and always be prepared to play. You never know what's gonna happen."

[Hog Hog]

So, he's never going to be in the game?

[jbcarol]

O'Gara: Arch Manning'll regret not being in EA Sports College Football 25

I get Arch Manning's approach. It's all ball, all the time.

He doesn't follow anyone on Twitter/X. His bio on that platform reads "college student," and he doesn't have a cover photo. His lone NIL deal is through Panini Trading Cards with all the proceeds going to St. David's Healthcare and St. David's Foundation, as well as Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Texas. He has 8 total posts on Instagram, half of which are related to that NIL deal and his commitment/signing with Texas.

That's fine. Manning can opt into as little social media as he wants. He's probably better for it, especially as someone who doesn't come from a family needing him to be their golden ticket. All ball, all the time.

But not opting into the EA Sports College Football 25? That's a different story.

That's the latest "all ball, all the time" decision reportedly coming from the Texas quarterback:



One can opt into being a video game while still being "focused on playing." Hundreds of thousands of athletes have done that since sports video games became a thing, including his famous uncles who also came into college with 5-star billing. Allowing EA Sports to use one's likeness shouldn't impact Manning's ability to live up to some insane levels of hype. If he ultimately doesn't do that, no human being with any ounce of credibility will point to Manning's likeness in a video game as the cause of his downfall.

Again, EA Sports already has more than 10,000 college football players that are on board. If a right guard from Akron has a rough year, it won't be because he decided to accept $600 and a video game in return for his likeness being used.

Of course, Manning isn't a right guard from Akron.

Turning this opportunity down — one that no shortage of college football legends from the last decade have spoken about missing out on — is the most noteworthy thing Manning has done as a college player.

Consider it his first misstep.

[jbcarol]

Ewers: on Arch Manning's growth: 'Year 2, you always see a big jump'

by:
Griffin McVeigh
•

"Year 2, you always see a big jump with quarterbacks in this offense," Ewers said. "You're just so much more comfortable and your confidence just goes through the roof."

If anyone is proof of what a second season in Sarkisian's offense can do, it's Ewers

Eli's nephew

[jbcarol]

O'Gara: Why it's OK to have legitimate expectations for Arch Manning

| 3 minutes ago

The ultimate football legacy has had a quiet Texas career. Perhaps fittingly, his most headline-worthy moment so far was his decision to opt out of being in the new EA Sports college football video game.

Despite what many speculated about Manning's career outlook as it related to Ewers' starting status, I didn't see it as a negative at all that the post-spring takeaway was that the decorated 5-star freshman was staring at a redshirt season.

Now, though, things have changed.

He's not QB1 entering Year 2, but Manning's role is significant as Ewers' understudy. That's why it's fair to expect progress from him Saturday in Texas' spring game.

Steve Sarkisian set the stage for that.