With Quinn Ewers declaring for the NFL Draft on Wednesday, Manning is set to get the keys to the Lamborghini for the foreseeable future. He is very likely to be the starting quarterback for at least the 2025 season and possibly 2026 if he doesn’t decide to turn pro.
He is the son of Cooper Manning, the grandson of former NFL star quarterback Archie Manning and the nephew of Eli and Peyton Manning. He passed for 939 yards and nine touchdowns this season. He also showcased his mobility with four rushing touchdowns.
"This offseason, this is a time for him to attack," former Texas star Colt McCoy said, via Underdog Fantasy Sports. "To work on some of the things he knows he needs to work on. He played three games. What were some things I wasn't good at? What were some things I was good at? How can I get better? How can I have a great spring?…
"There's a lot to build on if you're looking at the entirety of the Texas football team, but for Arch, there's a great opportunity that he's walking into. Don't put too much pressure on yourself, go out there and be you. Play to your strengths.
"We're all different as quarterbacks, we all have an edge somehow. And I think if Arch is smart, he'll figure out 'what's my edge?'"
Manning was mostly used in run-pass option packages for the Longhorns, giving defenses a different weapon to deal with. He started against Louisiana-Monroe and Mississippi State when Ewers went down with an injury.
Manning had 258 passing yards, two touchdown passes in a 51-3 win against Louisiana-Monroe. He then had 325 passing yards and two touchdown passes against Mississippi State in a 35-13 win. But he was back to the backup role after Ewers returned.
The offense overall will take a hit. Top receivers Matthew Golden and Isaiah Bond declared for the draft and senior tight end Gunnar Helm is finished his eligibility.
Running back Jaydon Blue and offensive linemen Kelvin Banks Jr. and Cam Williams also declared for the NFL.
Two-time NBA All-Star Gus Williams, who led the Seattle SuperSonics to the franchise’s only NBA championship, has died. He was 71.
Williams’ death comes nearly five years after he suffered a debilitating stroke. According to The Seattle Times, his cause of death was not immediately known, but he was living in a care facility in Baltimore at the time of his death.
Longtime sports writer Peter Vecsey reported Thursday that Williams’ brother said the former basketball player’s body "simply broke down" over the last few days. He also confirmed that the funeral will be held in Mount Vernon, New York – Williams’ hometown.
Williams was drafted by the Golden State Warriors in the second round of the 1975 NBA Draft. He would go on to earn NBA All-Rookie Team honors that year and finished second in Rookie of the Year voting that season.
He played two seasons with the Warriors before signing in 1977 with the Sonics, where he would quickly make a name for himself as one of the most dynamic guards of his time.
The former USC standout led the Sonics to their only championship title in 1979 when he averaged a team-high of 26.7 points during the playoffs.
A two-time NBA All-Star, Williams famously sat out the 1980 season because of a contract dispute, but he returned the following season to finish fifth in MVP voting and win NBA Comeback Player of the Year.
The NBA community mourned the loss of Williams on social media following the news of his death.
Williams retired from playing basketball in 1987 after one season with the Atlanta Hawks. His jersey was retired by the Sonics in 2004.
"Well, of course, it is World Series time, and as I've said before, when the word baseball is mentioned, I guess my name would automatically come to your mind."
Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Riley Leonard has been outspoken about his faith and belief in God during his collegiate career.
On Wednesday, Leonard told reporters before the national championship game against Ohio State that he believes that the open faith players have on each team is the reason why they are competing for college football’s top prize.
"I truly think things happen for a reason. Not only us, but Ohio State as well. I think we’re the two main teams to just publicly display our faith the most," he said, via Sports Michiana. "I don’t know if this is some divine teaching, you know, who put us here.
"I truly believe that Jesus was looking over both our shoulders throughout the who season and put these two teams on a pedestal for a reason."
Leonard has been open about his faith, especially in the College Football Playoff.
He was asked about what changed in the second half in their win over Penn State in the semifinals.
"Shoot, I just started trusting in the Lord. I looked up and said, ‘Jesus, whatever your will is for my life, I trust it 100%.’ This offense and this team trusts in Jesus and his plan for this season," he said, via The Deseret.
He also thanked God after the Fighting Irish’s win over Georgia.
"First and foremost, I want to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Without him, I wouldn’t be here and we wouldn’t be here as a whole group," he said.
Notre Dame will play Ohio State for the title on Monday night.
Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds, Rob McElhenney and Eva Longoria are among the investors in a North American group that has acquired Colombian top division side La Equidad.
The NFL and USAA announced on Thursday that Aaron Jones, George Kittle and Morgan Fox have been named the finalists for the Salute to Service Award.
The award was first given out in 2012 as part of the NFL's and USAA's commitment to recognize and honor the military and veteran community.
"Our three finalists for the 2024 Salute to Service Award are all deserving of recognition for their long-standing and unwavering commitment to honoring the military community," said retired Maj. Gen. John Richardson, USAA senior vice president and head of military affairs. "We commend Aaron Jones, George Kittle and Morgan Fox for continually using their platforms as NFL players to advance and enrich the lives of our military service members and their families, putting service to others above themselves."
The running back Jones, who had a career resurgence with the Minnesota Vikings, grew up in a military household; his father, Alvin, served 29 years in the Army, while his mother, Vurgess, served for 27. Jones' older brother, Xavier, serves in the Air Force.
Jones and his twin brother Alvin Jr., founded the A&A All the Way Foundation in 2020 to support the youth of military families.
Kittle, the San Francisco 49ers tight end, hosts military members for every Niners home game, and he and his family created an app to offer free mental health services for veterans. Kittle has donated over $250,000 to military nonprofits and further highlighted military organizations through My Cause My Cleats.
Fox, the L.A. Chargers' defensive end, also grew up in a military community, and donated 100 tickets to veterans. He has hosted members of the Wounded Warrior Project at Chargers practices.
New England Patriots long snapper Joe Cardona, who played college football at Navy, was named the winner of the Salute to Service Award last year.
The winner will be announced at NFL Honors on Feb. 6, the same night as the MVP, Offensive and Defensive Players and Rookies, and Coach of the Year will be crowned.
The Paley Museum is bringing the feel of the Big Game to Manhattan later this month. The museum is rolling out a pair of new exhibits based around the Super Bowl, featuring iconic items from some of the Big Game’s biggest moments and celebrating some of the iconic names to play in the Super Bowl. ...
State Farm often runs commercials during NFL games, but the insurance company won't have an ad presence during Super Bowl 2025 in the wake of the fires that have devastated the Los Angeles area.
The playoffs are different for kickers, just like they are for QBs. Except QBs have big contracts and are less interchangeable than short-leashed kickers.
