Texas quarterback Arch Manning spent Thursday at SEC Media Days sounding like a player intent on keeping the focus narrow: on the work, on the season ahead, and not on the noise around him.
Manning said he brought a group of receivers to New Orleans for extra throwing sessions after skipping spring work. The group included Ryan Wingo, Cam [Coleman], Emmett [Moseley] and Sterling [Berkhalter], along with Hollywood Smothers.
“Yeah, I had some receivers down. We had Ryan Wingo, Cam [Coleman], Emmett [Moseley] and Sterling [Berkhalter], and then we had Hollywood Smothers come too.
So, we had the whole squad. We had a good time.”
He said the idea came from needing more reps.
“I just didn't do spring, so I needed some more work and had them down to New Orleans and showed them around a little bit, and we got some good work in.”
The trip wasn’t built around a big dinner reservation, either. Manning said the group kept it simple with barbecue at the house and a stop at Bayou Hot Wings.
“We didn't go to like a fancy restaurant. We had barbecue at the house one night, and we went to Bayou Hot Wings, and they loved it. Yeah, it was good.”
Manning also addressed the early-season criticism he faced last year, saying he stayed away from the media while he worked through it.
“I tried to stay away from the media during it, but you know, I wasn't playing very well, and people have opinions and they shared them, and that's totally fine. But I think I learned a lot about myself. Trying to have a good year this year.”
He said the experience helped him grow more comfortable in Texas’ offense, especially after getting game reps last season.
“Yeah, the goal is to get more comfortable in the offense every day, and I think going through game experience last year has helped me. And we're trying to get more comfortable every day going forward.”
Asked about the stretch after the Florida loss and the response heading into the Oklahoma game, Manning pointed to the team’s ability to reset.
“Yeah, our team had a lot of resilience. I think the Florida game was a tough loss, but we came back motivated for the next week and showed that we can bounce back.”
He said the biggest lesson from last season was about pace and perspective.
“Yeah, I think I said this earlier. The games in the beginning of the season, it seemed like they went by so quick, and college football games are long games, four hours. So, I think I learned to enjoy the moment and take it for what it's worth, and you know have a little bit more fun.”
Manning also shut down any talk about bigger-picture decisions beyond this season.
“Yeah, I'm just focused on today. I think one of my goals this off-season was to stay present and just take it one day at a time.”
He added that his time at Texas has been a positive one, even with the ups and downs.
“Yeah, I've really enjoyed my college experience. Obviously, last season there were ups and downs, but Texas, as a whole, it's been a blessing to go there as a student-athlete, and I'm excited for this year.”
After missing spring, Manning said the last two weeks have helped him get back into rhythm.
“Yeah, I think this last two weeks has been good. I feel like I've gotten back in a groove, and we're excited for this year.”
He also had praise for Texas’ running backs, Raleek Brown and Hollywood Smothers, saying both can change games.
“Yeah, they're really good players. They're good people, too.
Love them both. We're excited to have them.
They can make some serious plays.”
Manning said he’s feeling ready now.
“Yeah, feeling great now. Ready to go.”
On defense, he singled out Colin Simmons as a constant problem in practice.
“He's just a game disruptor. Disrupts practice.
I mean, he could disrupt practice any day he wants. Trying to do a zone read on him is pretty tough.
He's a really good player, and I'm sure he's going to show that this year.”
Manning also touched on family legacy and Ole Miss, where Eli Manning and Archie Manning built their own history. He said he grew up going to Ole Miss games, but he’s not dwelling on legacy.
“Yeah, I grew up going to Ole Miss games. Obviously, Eli [Manning] and my grandfather [Archie Manning] built legacies at Ole Miss.We're just trying to take it day-by-day and win some games this year. I'm not really worried about my legacy.”
And with Texas set to play LSU in Baton Rouge in November, Manning said the matchup has been on his radar.
“Yeah, yeah, of course. I definitely heard about that when I went back to the Manning Passing Academy in Louisiana.
But we're excited. I grew up going to Baton Rouge for football games, and we're excited to go.
It's going to be a good game. They're a great program with a bunch of good players.
So
we're excited.”
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