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LANDING MANNING
Nephew of NFL greats was won over by Steve Sarkisian’s vision.
By Nick Moyle STAFF WRITER
Texas didn't need to be “back” to convince Ewers to bolt for Austin. It didn't need to challenge for a national title or even compete in a single College Football Playoff to be deemed worthy by Manning. And apparently, beating Big 12 doormat Kansas is no longer a prerequisite to signing a top-five recruiting class, as the Longhorns did in 2022 despite last year's occasionally surreal campaign.
And while name, image and likeness (NIL) opportunities at Texas have played a role in other recent signings, Manning comes with built-in celebrity. The money and endorsements follow him, not vice-versa. No, this was strictly a football decision.
It's hard to believe this sort of recruiting magic could exist anywhere but Texas, which has produced just one season of double-digit wins (10-4 in 2018) after reeling off nine straight from 2001-09. This might be even harder to believe: Since 2014, Texas has more top-10 recruiting classes (five) than winning seasons (four).
Like Del Conte, Manning has bought into Sarkisian's vision.
Selling hope to a recruit of Manning's caliber probably wouldn't have worked anywhere else. But Texas isn't really like anywhere else. Now, with six months left before the early signing period, it just has to prove to Manning that his faith wasn't misplaced.