For some reason, legendary New Orleans Saints quarterback Archie Manning felt it necessary to defend his grandson Arch's first season as the Texas Longhorns' QB1 in 2025. Archie believes everyone was too harsh on Arch.
Elsewhere this weekend, the Alabama Crimson Tide finally awakened and landed a blue-chip receiver commit who ranked No. 34 on the SC Next 300. Kalen DeBoer and his staff were being questioned for their lackadaisical efforts in the 2027 cycle, but the Tide got it together on Saturday.
Here were your SEC headlines from a newsworthy Saturday during college football's dead period:
Archie Manning claims Arch was treated unfairly in 2025
While speaking with KXAN News' Noah Gross during the Manning Passing Academy at Nicholls State University's John L. Guidry Stadium in Thibodaux, Louisiana, Archie complained about the expectations Arch had during his first season as QB1 at Texas.
“I was kind of disappointed in a lot of people. The whole thing. ... They kind of crowned Arch before he ever played. I just didn’t think that was fair," Manning said.
“Yeah, it was a little tough start. He played a great team (in Ohio State). But I’ve never been more proud of anybody in my life. The way Arch battled through what he had to go through last year, and the way he played the last eight or nine games of the season.”
On one hand, this is just a loving grandfather who is sticking up for his grandson. On the other hand, though, it's a bad PR strategy that continues a trend of making excuses for what the Longhorns football program refuses to concede was simply a disappointing season, given the expectations. Steve Sarkisian has been complaining about Texas's level of competition all offseason.
Arch can't escape expectations after taking what amounts to a pro's salary via NIL endorsements. Arch got the same treatment that the Dallas Cowboys or Houston Texans players receive. As he should. Though Manning had a great season, he did struggle against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the first game (understandable), and then the UTEP Miners and Florida Gators over the next month (not understandable).
Tennessee boots Chaz Coleman, Patrick Peterson tells me his thoughts on LSU
Alabama lands 4-star IMG Academy WR
Alabama football isn't usually part of much good news at this point, but the Crimson Tide did land 4-star IMG Academy WR Osani Gayles on Saturday. Gayles is a brilliant route-runner who could use a quick burst to get behind defenders and change up speeds on inside routes. He's the second-highest-ranked recruit in the program's 2027 class, behind the man who will be throwing him the ball in the later portion of his career in Tuscaloosa: 5-star Dunham School (LA) QB Elijah Haven.
Gayles' recruitment could be a turning point for Alabama, which has been an embarrassment in the 2027 cycle. Perhaps DeBoer had the foresight to wait until closer to signing day to do his damage. Maybe he finally realized that he won't last forever and is already on borrowed time with the Tide, given how year one and year two have gone.
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