In college football, quarterback play often determines the success or failure of a program. As the 2025 season inches closer, all eyes are on the University of Texas, where two of the most promising quarterbacks in recent history, Arch Manning and Quinn Ewers, will battle for the starting job. Manning, the highly touted freshman and heir to the Manning football legacy, and Ewers, a former five-star recruit and a potential NFL draft pick, both present unique skill sets and immense upside. But in a bold assessment recently shared by a prominent college football insider, Manning’s mobility was singled out as a key attribute that may give him the edge over Ewers as the Longhorns look toward the future.
This statement has generated a lot of buzz in the college football world, especially considering the significant hype surrounding Ewers as a potential first-round pick in the NFL Draft. Yet, with Arch Manning’s arrival in Austin, Texas fans and analysts alike have begun questioning whether the younger Manning might just be more than a legacy recruit. Could Manning’s mobility, and overall fit within Texas’ system, make him the best option to lead the Longhorns in 2025 and beyond?
In this blog post, we’ll explore the assessment made by the CFB insider, what it means for both quarterbacks, and why mobility may be the X-factor that elevates Arch Manning’s game to new heights in college football.
Arch Manning vs. Quinn Ewers: The Background
Before diving into the specifics of mobility, let’s first review the two quarterbacks involved in this discussion.
Arch Manning is the grandson of legendary quarterback Archie Manning, the nephew of Peyton and Eli Manning, and a consensus top recruit for the class of 2025. Manning’s legacy is immense, but what sets him apart is his talent and poise on the field. Standing at 6’4” and weighing in at 215 pounds, Arch possesses a similar frame to his NFL-famous uncles. However, his game is uniquely his own.
Manning’s passing mechanics are polished, his decision-making exceptional, and his football IQ off the charts. But perhaps one of the most overlooked aspects of his game is his mobility. Manning has the ability to extend plays with his legs, escape pressure, and take off for solid gains when needed. His mobility allows him to be a dual-threat quarterback, a trait that many modern college football offenses crave.
Quinn Ewers, on the other hand, arrived at Texas as one of the most highly anticipated quarterback recruits in recent memory. Ewers was a five-star prospect in the class of 2021 who began his college career at Ohio State before transferring to Texas. His arm strength is arguably his most standout attribute, capable of making every throw on the field with velocity and precision. However, his development has been a bit more of a work in progress. Ewers has shown flashes of brilliance, particularly with his deep ball accuracy, but has also struggled at times with consistency and decision-making.
When Ewers transferred to Texas, many pegged him as the future of the Longhorns program. He was seen as a potential first-round NFL pick, and his development under Steve Sarkisian was expected to be a key factor in Texas’ push to return to national prominence. However, his lack of mobility, particularly when under pressure, has been a point of concern.
“He’s More Mobile”: The CFB Insider’s Assessment
In a recent interview with a college football insider, the conversation took an interesting turn when the subject of Texas’ quarterback competition came up. The insider, who has deep connections within the program, bluntly stated, “Arch Manning is more mobile than Quinn Ewers, and that’s going to play a big role in this quarterback battle.”
The statement raised eyebrows for a few reasons. First, mobility isn’t typically the first trait associated with top-tier quarterbacks in the college or professional ranks. In a world dominated by arm talent and accuracy, the idea that Manning’s ability to escape the pocket and make plays with his legs could give him an advantage over someone like Ewers was a bold assertion. Second, Ewers’ stock as a future NFL quarterback has largely been built around his arm strength and raw potential as a pocket passer. The notion that Manning’s mobility could give him the edge over Ewers, who many view as a future first-round draft pick, was not something most fans or analysts anticipated.
But the more you consider the statement, the more it makes sense, especially in the context of modern college football. The game has evolved, and dual-threat quarterbacks—players who can beat you both with their arms and their legs—are becoming increasingly valuable. Look no further than the success of quarterbacks like Jalen Hurts, Justin Fields, and even a player like Patrick Mahomes, whose mobility gives them the ability to evade defenders and extend plays in ways that pocket passers simply can’t.
Why Mobility is So Important for Arch Manning
The college football landscape is evolving, and quarterbacks who can move in and out of the pocket, make plays on the run, and evade pressure are becoming increasingly valuable. Here are a few reasons why Arch Manning’s mobility could give him an edge over Quinn Ewers:
- Escaping Pressure: One of Ewers’ biggest struggles has been his inability to deal with pressure in the pocket. While Ewers has the arm to make throws from any platform, his lack of mobility has at times limited his ability to escape defenders and extend plays. Manning, on the other hand, has shown that he can move effectively in and out of the pocket, keeping defenses on their toes and buying time for his receivers to get open.
- Dual-Threat Potential: Manning’s ability to make plays with his legs opens up a wider array of offensive possibilities for Steve Sarkisian. While Texas has become known for its high-powered passing attack, the ability to utilize a quarterback who can be a legitimate running threat could make their offense even more difficult to defend. Defenses can’t just focus on stopping Manning’s arm—they have to account for his legs as well.
- Improved Offensive Balance: With a quarterback like Manning, Texas could run more designed quarterback runs, RPOs (run-pass options), and play-action passes. This would allow Sarkisian to create more unpredictable offensive schemes, forcing defenses to respect both the pass and the run. In contrast, with Ewers, opposing teams may only need to focus on stopping the pass, giving them a simpler approach defensively.
- Play Extension: Perhaps one of Manning’s best qualities is his ability to keep plays alive when things break down. Whether it’s rolling out to avoid pressure or stepping up in the pocket and turning a potential sack into a 15-yard scramble, Manning’s ability to extend plays makes him a dangerous weapon. Ewers, by contrast, has struggled to make those types of improvisational plays.
The Future of Texas Football
Arch Manning’s mobility could be the missing ingredient Texas needs to compete for championships in the years to come. With his ability to move, evade pressure, and make plays with both his arm and legs, Manning is a quarterback who can lead Texas into the modern era of college football. His arrival brings hope to a program that has been waiting for a true star quarterback to lead them back to glory.
At the same time, Quinn Ewers is by no means out of the picture. He’s shown that he has the arm talent to play at the highest level, and his future in the NFL remains bright. But for now, Manning’s ability to do more than just pass the ball is a significant advantage in today’s game.
Ultimately, the choice between Manning and Ewers will come down to how each quarterback develops in the coming months, how they perform in the preseason, and how they adapt to Sarkisian’s system. But with Manning’s mobility and playmaking ability, it’s hard not to see why the CFB insider issued such a blunt assessment—Arch Manning may just be the quarterback that Texas needs.