Urban Meyer Praises Manning Family For How They've Handled Arch's Situation

Everything We Know About Cooper Manning, The Third Manning Brother (1:17)

Arch Manning hasn’t taken the same approach as other college football quarterbacks.

After spending his freshman season on the bench, the top recruit again opened this year as the Texas backup behind a returning Quinn Ewers. Yet an Ewers injury gave Manning extended playing time last Saturday, and he capitalized with four passing touchdowns and a 67-yard rushing touchdown in a 56-7 victory over UTSA.

On The Third Option, Urban Meyer praised Manning’s family for keeping the 19-year-old on the right path.

Meyer said young players often receive bad advice from a “third uncle” acting out of self-interest. The athletes that entered his program were “usually a mess” and “not equipped to make life-changing decisions.”

However, Arch has two Super Bowl champion uncles and a former high school wide receiver in his father, Cooper.

“I’ve talked to other coaches about it. It drives you absolutely insane when you see people leave a great situation and you’re like, why the hell did you just do that?” Meyer said. “Cooper Manning was on our show a couple weeks ago … And I just said, ‘Man, the decisions that you guys have made so far for this guy have been phenomenal.'”

ATLANTA, GEORGIA – DECEMBER 31: Urban Meyer is seen prior to the game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Georgia Bulldogs in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 31, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

Carmen Mandato/Getty Images

Mark Ingram concurred with Meyer. The former Heisman Trophy winner said he listened when his father told him to stay at Alabama and “work your butt off” for more playing time. He also shared a similar message to Cooper.

“I told him the same thing, Coach. I was like, I admire what you guys have done for Arch, how you have handled that whole situation,” Ingram said. “He could have left and started anywhere in the country, but he stayed at Texas. He’s staying true to who he is, to his morals, to his values. And look, it’s going to pay off tenfold.”

Manning dazzled in what Meyer labeled a “warm-up” game, but the former national champion believes Ewers should remain the Longhorns starter once he’s medically cleared.

“Quinn Ewers has beat Alabama at ‘Bama. Quinn Ewers beat the Wolverines badly at Ann Arbor. He’s your starting quarterback,” Meyer said. “You got to play him. I’d play him. As soon as he comes back I’d play Quinn, and I’d play Arch.”