Why Steve Sarkisian said Arch Manning plays 'for free,' and how that helps Texas football

Arch Manning playing 'for free' for Texas

Manning stayed at Texas despite chances to transfer and make more money. On3 projects Manning's NIL valuation to be $5.4 million; Manning's payment from the school, after the House settlement, is rumored to be about $2 million. Texas does not disclose each player's compensation. "Arch could have dragged us over the coals for 6 six million (dollars), 7 million, whatever he wanted. That’s an extra 5 million that I can go get a Cam Coleman, go get a (running back like) Hollywood Smothers and go get a Rasheem Biles,” Sarkisian said. Sarkisian said that's nothing new for Texas though. He praised former quarterback Quinn Ewers for not negotiating for higher pay as well. **MORE**: What Arch Manning had to say about Texas ex Parker Livingstone's transfer to Oklahoma **FROM CEDRIC GOLDEN:** Texas football DC Muschamp on why coming back was an easy decision “We’ve had two in a row like that with Quinn (Ewers),” Sarkisian said. “That’s the key. QB1 at Texas is going to get the national deals, like Quinn had Dr Pepper and Arch has Red Bull. They’re going to get those. It’s getting the right type of parent to understand that they don’t need to break the bank with Texas, that they’re going to get theirs. Instead, go surround them with really good players. Both those two kids figured that out." Sarkisian said that he saved a text from Manning's dad after he committed to play for Texas. It read: Tell every recruit that comes in there that Arch loves the University of Texas, and he’s not taking any money to come there. “I don’t text him very often. I try to make it count," Cooper Manning said of the text.

Steve Sarkisian lauds Arch Manning's mental toughness, growth

The Longhorns also head coach spoke about Manning's growth from last season and how the noise impacted the young QB, especially after the Florida loss to open SEC play. Manning threw two interceptions in the fourth quarter and was sacked six times in The Swamp on the Longhorns' way to a 29-21 loss. In light of the poor performance from the pedigreed quarterback, an article from The Athletic called Manning a "flop." But true to the lyrics of Tom Petty's song "I Won't Back Down," which is traditionally played at Florida home games, neither did Manning.