Dave Wilson
Multiple Authors
AUSTIN, Texas — Texas quarterback Arch Manning has been restricted this spring as he recovers from offseason foot surgery however mentioned Wednesday he feels able to return.
“I feel 100% right now,” mentioned Manning, who has performed sparingly in spring practices. “We’re kind of taking it slow, but if we had a game today, I’d be playing.”
Coach Steve Sarkisian mentioned this week that Manning has achieved a couple of 7-on-7 sequence, however that the practices have been worthwhile for backup quarterbacks K.J. Lacey and Dia Bell and there isn’t any motive to hurry Manning again.
The Longhorns are internet hosting an open apply for followers Saturday as a alternative for the annual spring sport. Manning will not be more likely to play, however Sarkisian mentioned he expects him returning to apply in June “100% ready to rock and roll.”
Manning performed via some foot ache final season however completed sturdy, throwing for 3,163 yards with 26 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. He ran for an extra 403 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Texas, final yr’s preseason No. 1, simply missed the College Football Playoff after three highway losses to Ohio State, Florida and Georgia. Manning went 17-of-30 for 170 yards with one landing and one interception in opposition to the Buckeyes, and likewise threw two interceptions in opposition to the Gators. He mentioned he realized a lesson from these early struggles.
“I think I could have had more fun. The first half of the season, I was pissed,” Manning mentioned. “I wasn’t playing well and it wasn’t fun for me. And then I kind of sort of said screw it and had a little more fun and started winning some games.”
Manning mentioned he was too arduous on himself, which prompted him to “tighten up.”
After squeaking out a 16-13 additional time win in opposition to a struggling Kentucky staff — a sport during which Manning went 12-of-27 for 132 yards — Manning mentioned the offense met and vowed to let it go.
“We kind of really got together and was like, ‘We just got to have fun, man. This hasn’t been fun,'” Manning recalled. “We all got closer as an offense, as a team. … I think we started to play better and think y’all could maybe see it on the field.”
Manning completed the season because the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl MVP after totaling 376 yards and 4 TDs, together with a 60-yard run, in a 41-27 win over Michigan.
The Longhorns added ability place expertise round Manning this offseason, bringing in dynamic working backs Raleek Brown and Hollywood Smothers, in addition to 6-foot-3, 201-pound extensive receiver Cam Coleman.
“He’s an elite player and he wants to be good, which is the most encouraging thing,” Manning mentioned of Coleman, the No. 2 participant in ESPN’s switch portal rankings.
Manning mentioned he will attempt to get his receivers to New Orleans to work out, “eat some good food, maybe go fishing.”
One participant who will not be there’s his former roommate, extensive receiver Parker Livingstone, who transferred to rival Oklahoma.
“I was a little surprised, but Parker’s a good guy,” Manning mentioned. “Can’t say I would’ve done the same thing, but [I] wish him all the best. … except when we play them, I guess.”
Manning mentioned he has been capable of get “mental reps” and spend time with the freshmen and new transfers, and even new defensive coordinator Will Muschamp, who arrived from Georgia.
“He always wants to talk ball,” Manning mentioned. “I’m excited to have him on my team and especially some of that Georgia defense. We need to get through there. We know they’re going to be the team to beat, so it’s been fun to go against the defense.”
The Longhorns do not play Georgia within the common season, however they do have a rematch at residence in opposition to Ohio State on Sept. 12, Texas’ second sport after opening in opposition to Texas State.
Manning mentioned he is trying ahead to dealing with the Buckeyes once more and thinks he hasn’t performed his greatest soccer but.
“You take your scars with you,” Manning mentioned. “I didn’t play well in that game. There were a handful of games that didn’t play well and we lost. And so you obviously take those with you and think about them. I’m glad we get another shot at them this year.”
