Is Texas back?
The Longhorns landed the top recruit in the country Thursday, with Eli and Peyton Manning's nephew Arch Manning committing to play in Austin. His recruitment, a months-long circus that involved the likes of Alabama and Georgia, finally ended with second-year coach Steve Sarkisian netting a sixth four-star or higher recruit for 2023, per 247 Sports.
Manning, who has thrown for over 6,300 yards and 81 in his high school career to date, will be a senior at New Orleans' Isidore Newman School in 2022.
He made the announcement on Twitter in the first tweet from an account created four months earlier.
Committed to the University of Texas. #HookEm pic.twitter.com/jHYbjBaF5K
— Arch Manning (@ArchManning) June 23, 2022
MORE: Arch Manning to Texas: Winners and losers as No. 1 QB commits to Longhorns
Why did Arch Manning commit to Texas?
Manning was primarily recruited by Texas quarterback coach A.J. Milwee, who it appears had a big hand in his commitment to the Longhorns. Manning's high school coach, Nelson Stewart, said Milwee was extremely involved in Manning's recruitment process.
"I think I’ve talked to A.J. Milwee more than my wife the last two years," Stewart said, per Pete Thamel.
Stewart added that he appreciated the program Sarkisian is building in Texas.
Texas also added four-star receiver Ryan Niblett in April, ensuring a strong target for Manning to throw to.
What's next for Quinn Ewers?
Current Texas QB Quinn Ewers is a curious case. After duking it out with Caleb Williams for the No. 1 recruitment spot in 2021, Ewers transferred to Texas from Ohio State because he said he wanted to be back in his home state and he grew up rooting for Texas.
Got our first chance to talk with new Texas QB Quinn Ewers this morning pic.twitter.com/m3TQldWQGt
— Travis Recek (@TravisRecek) April 14, 2022
MORE: How Arch Manning can match Archie, Peyton and Eli's opening acts in college
Ewers' quotes paint the picture of someone who just wants to be home, but he has the potential to go high in the 2024 NFL Draft. Outside of Sarkisian and Texas being blinded by the Manning name, if Ewers plays well this year, the job would likely be his to lose moving forward.
Of course, the recruitment of Manning does put some pressure on the young quarterback. But if he lives up to the hype, he could be gone as soon as Manning's freshman year. There's no question Texas fans would love to get good years out of Ewers through the 2023 season so Manning can continue to get reps and become the starter as sophomore.
What's next for Georgia?
Georgia is hardly in what anyone call dire straits for 2023. Stetson Bennett is entering his senior season, and in 2023 it will likely be a competition between current redshirt sophomore Carson Beck and current redshirt freshman Brock Vandagriff. Vandagriff was as high as the seventh-best recruit in the country in 2019, and when he signed he was 17th.
Although it may not land a top QB recruit this year, shed no tears for the reigning national champions. With two young players waiting in the wings, Kirby Smart's squad should be just fine.
MORE: When is Arch Manning eligible for the NFL Draft?
What's next for Alabama?
The Crimson Tide has another year of No. 1 overall play from Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young ahead, and similar to Georgia behind Young it has two potential stars waiting in the wings. Redshirt freshman Jalen Milroe and true freshman Ty Simpson are Alabama's second and third stringers this season, and in 2023 it has a commitment from four-star recruit Eli Holstein.
Much like the Bulldogs, Alabama will have plenty of options at the quarterback position without Manning.