Arch Manning addresses Texas transfer speculation

Sep 30, 2023; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) warms up before the game against the Kansas Jayhawks at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports

Arch Manning got his first chance to speak to reporters on Saturday since he enrolled at Texas, and he used the opportunity to brush aside rumors about a potential transfer.

The Longhorns quarterback acknowledged the transfer rumors that have surrounded him, but said he had never given any thought to leaving Texas and was focused on his own development.

“Obviously, there’s all these rumors but I haven’t looked into transferring at all,” Manning said, via David Ubben of The Athletic. “I’m just focused on developing and helping this team in any way I can and hopefully, one day playing for the University of Texas like I always wanted to.”

Manning is just finishing up his redshirt season with Texas, but starter Quinn Ewers is believed to be planning to return for one more year. That sparked transfer speculation regarding Manning, but that calmed down some when Maalik Murphy, the Longhorns’ other quarterback, decided to go elsewhere.

Manning is in line to be Ewers’ primary backup in 2024 and would presumably get the chance to start in 2025. As long as he is fine with that timeline, he has no reason to transfer.