Why isn't Arch Manning playing today? Explaining Texas' starting QB situation vs. Georgia

Daniel Mader

Why isn't Arch Manning playing today? Explaining Texas' starting QB situation vs. Georgia image

College football fans have gotten more glimpses of Arch Manning's limitless potential in 2024.

Texas' young quarterback has nine passing touchdowns and three rushing touchdowns in four game appearances this season, displaying the arm talent and precision that's made him a top-tier future NFL Draft prospect.

However, Manning won't be starting under center for the Longhorns in one of their biggest matchup of the season against Georgia on Saturday.

Here's what to know about Manning's status against the Bulldogs, including why he won't be starting, who will be throwing passes for the Longhorns instead and a look at Texas' quarterback depth chart. 

MORE: Pressure building on Kirby Smart ahead of Georgia's matchup with Texas

Why isn't Arch Manning playing today?

Manning won't be starting against Georgia because he's considered the QB2 on Texas' quarterback depth chart. 

Earlier this season, Manning was given starting opportunities due to injuries. In those two starts, he had 583 passing yards, four passing touchdowns and two interceptions. Facing UL Monroe and Mississippi State, the Longhorns won both games by at least 22 points.

However, with Texas' starter now healthy again, Manning is set to continue watching from the sidelines, at least to begin games.

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Who is Texas' starting quarterback?

Quinn Ewers is the Longhorns' starting quarterback this season. Ewers, a junior, has been Texas' starter since 2022.

Over his first two seasons with the program, Ewers totaled 5,656 passing yards as Texas finished 8-5 in 2022 and 12-2 in 2023. Despite the Longhorns bringing in a highly-touted freshman in Manning, Ewers has kept his starting job.

An abdominal injury held Ewers out for a pair of games this season, but once he was healthy enough to return, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian gave Ewers the QB1 spot right back despite Manning's flashes of dominance.

In a 34-3 win over Oklahoma last week, Ewers had 199 yards, a touchdown and an interception on 20-of-29 passing. 

This week, facing No. 5 Georgia, Ewers is set to be the Longhorns' starter once again. Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart recently said that Texas having a pair of talented quarterbacks "doesn't change how we prepare," especially with Ewers and Manning having similar play styles.

MORE: QB guru weighs in on Quinn Ewers-Arch Manning debate

Texas QB depth chart

RankPlayer
1Quinn Ewers
2Arch Manning
3Trey Owens

No. 1: Quinn Ewers

Ewers originally committed to and later enrolled at Ohio State. However, he transferred to Texas in December 2021, earning the starting quarterback role by the following season. 

Over his college career, Ewers has 6,546 passing yards, 46 passing touchdowns and 15 interceptions.

No. 2: Arch Manning

Due to his family's history of producing elite quarterbacks and his clear generational talent, Manning was one of the most hyped quarterback recruits in recent memory. 

He committed to Texas in June 2023 but redshirted after appearing in just two games in his freshman season. Manning has seen more action this season and Texas relied on him as its starter when Ewers went down with a brief injury.

MORE: Eli Manning's reaction to Arch Manning's starting debut

No. 3: Trey Owens

Owens, a freshman, is the Longhorns' QB3 behind an immensely talented pairing of Ewers and Manning. 

A former four-star recruit, Owens had thrown four passes this season, which all came in a 56-7 win for the Longhorns over UTSA.

Daniel Mader

Daniel Mader Photo

Daniel Mader joined Sporting News as an editorial intern in 2024 following his graduation from Penn State University. Previously, he covered Penn State, high school and local sports beats for NBC Sports, the Centre Daily Times, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, The Daily Collegian and LancasterOnline. He grew up in Lancaster, Penn., with a love for baseball that’ll never fade, but could also talk basketball or football for days.