Texas receives a wave of reputable commitments for the class of 2023 as a result of Arch Manning’s recruiting success
Texas receives a wave of reputable commitments for the class of 2023 as a result of Arch Manning’s recruiting success It took less than a week for the Arch Manning effect to begin. The five-star quarterback, who committed on June 23, is the center of Texas’ top-five recruiting class. Texas jumped up to No. 3 in Rivals’ 2023 team rankings as a result of the Longhorns’ seven commitments over the previous week.
For coach Steve Sarkisian and the team, which is coming off a 5-7 season in 2021, the timing of Manning’s commitment and the floodgate that broke over the weekend is not a coincidence, according to Anwar Richardson.
Now that Arch is approaching, Richardson explained, recruits are aware of it. “Now everything seems OK, cool. Without a doubt, this is the location. They unambiguously state, ‘If the Mannings trust in Steve Sarkisian, why shouldn’t I? ‘—regardless of what they may have observed during the previous season.
Since Manning decided on a college on June 24, Texas has been on a tear. On June 25, that run was initiated by Hawaii’s Kahuku’s four-star linebacker Liona Lefau. The following day, the Longhorns added five in-state commits. The two most notable additions were receiver Jonah Wilson (Dekaney, Houston) and four-star offensive guard Jaydon Chatman (Harker Heights). The weekend also saw appearances by three-star lineman Connor Stroh (Wakeland, Frisco), Trevor Goosby (Melissa), and Andre Cojoe (Arlington).
Most of Manning’s future offensive line might be like that. Texas and UMass tied for 61st place in the FBS with 2.17 sacks per game last season. With the addition of five-star safety Derek Williams (Westgate, New Iberia, La.) on Monday, the Longhorns have now landed two of the top three prospects in Louisiana.
According to Richardson, ‘it almost seems like a lot of folks are wanting to ensure their spot in this 2023 class and don’t want to get left out.‘ Instead of playing the waiting game and wanting to put three hats out and wait until November or December to make that beautiful announcement. People are saying things like, ‘I don’t want to miss the chance to play with Arch Manning.’
Playing with Manning also has modern recruiting advantages. Richardson remarked, ‘The smart kids understand that while Arch may not need NIL possibilities, the NIL opportunities that will come from playing with Arch Manning and the University of Texas will unquestionably benefit everyone else.‘ For Steve Sarkisian, it’s kind of the ideal mashup or perfect storm.
The Lone Star State still has work to do. Although Texas has yet to produce a top-10 recruit for the Longhorns in this class, they are still in the running for five-star linebackers Anthony Hill (Ryan, Denton) and Javien Tobiano (Martin, Arlington).
Along with the rest of the SEC’s elite teams, those intrastate rivalries with Texas A&M, who boasted the best recruiting class in 2022, are expected to get more competitive. In 2018 and 2019, Tom Herman’s Texas had the No. 4 recruiting class, but the coach was unable to capitalize on this accomplishment. After Oklahoma (44-8), Oklahoma State (35-16), and Baylor, Texas has a 30-19 record since 2018, which is the fourth-best record in the Big 12. (32-18). The SEC’s seventh-best team would have a 30-19 record.
With their most crucial position set, the Longhorns are prepared to compete in the SEC. Manning is scheduled to join the team in 2023, but Quinn Ewers, a five-star quarterback, is already on the squad. Richardson declared, ‘Texas has a marquee quarterback to sell finally. Although Texas has produced some excellent quarterbacks, nobody by this name has ever played for the Longhorns.’ Some individuals could think of Vince Young, or VY, and believe that he was enormous. Vince was primarily a local story. Arch is a major news story.
With Young, Texas earned its final national championship in 2005. Young produced 467 yards of offense in the storied 41-38 Rose Bowl victory over USC on January 4, 2006. Sarkisian will begin his second season this fall, but Manning’s arrival will raise expectations for the Longhorns just in time for the SEC switch.
Arch gives him a lot of time to think, for sure. When Texas joined the SEC, Richardson remarked, it would be very difficult to see a situation in which Sarkisian wouldn’t be the head coach. For at least the next two seasons, they already have Quinn Ewers, and then Arch will replace him. Since the days of Mack Brown, Texas hasn’t had this recruiting zeal. Richardson predicted that some individuals would shout ‘We want to be back’ rather than ‘We’re back‘ like Sam Ehlinger did.