Texas QB Arch Manning Will Not Opt Into New EA Sports College Football Video Game

If you are a college football fan counting down the days until the new EA Sports video game is released this summer, you'll reportedly have to wait another year to technically play with Texas backup quarterback Arch Manning. 

The anticipation for the college football game to return continues to be a driving force of news, especially about who is opting into the game from a playable standpoint. A majority of the players who opt into the game will receive a payment of $600, along with their own copy from EA Sports. Just being in the new game is enough for most players, unless you have a massive brand to sell, which is the reason why over 10,000 current players have signed up to have their likeness used by the company. 

But, if you were a Texas fan hoping to bench Quinn Ewers so that you could technically play with Arch Manning, a report from Monday night dampened those expectations. According to Anwar Richardson, the highly-touted Manning, who is currently the second-string quarterback behind Ewers, has decided not to allow EA Sports to use him in the upcoming release. 

This is not the craziest decision, considering Arch Manning will be able to negotiate a side deal with EA Sports following the 2024 season, where he is tracking to become the starting quarterback. At the moment, Manning has still decided not to pursue many NIL opportunities, outside of a trading card deal with Paninni, so the move isn't that surprising. 

There are a number of high-profile college football players signing deals with EA Sports for the upcoming game that will be stars on the actual field this coming season. So, it sounds as if the Manning's have decided to keep to their word regarding NIL deals, which will change once he is named the permanent starter at Texas. 

Steve Sarkisian Says Arch Manning Has A ‘Great Opportunity’ In 2024

The chatter surrounding Arch Manning is not going away anytime soon, but neither is Texas starting quarterback Quinn Ewers. Coming off a season where he led the Longhorns to the College Football Playoff, throwing for 3,479 yards and 22 touchdowns, Steve Sarkisian has another opportunity to make a run towards the postseason. The 2024 season will also look completely different when it comes to opponents in real life, with the Longhorns starting their run in the SEC. 

As for the backup quarterback, Arch Manning will certainly receive more playing time this season as the bona fide backup. Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian sees this as a perfect chance for Manning to continue his growth as a quarterback, while also knowing he could be inserted into the game at any given moment. 

"I think for Arch, what a great opportunity as a backup now in his second season," Steve Sarkisian recently told Keyshawn Johnson on the ‘All Facts, No Breaks Podcast’. "Going to get some definite playing time and we’re looking forward to him doing that, watching his maturation and growth."

Arch Manning makes Texas debut. (Credit: Getty Images)

It's certainly not lost on Sarkisian how much of a spotlight is on the backup quarterback at Texas, but he also understands that Manning is still developing as a player, on and off the field.

"I understand that in this day and age of recruiting and social media and what’s going on, everybody wants to be the five-star and come in right away and have an instant impact and things of that nature," Sarkisian noted to Keyshawn Johnson. 

"But I’m a little bit of the belief that there’s a developmental side to our game, so that when you do play you play great football and you have longevity in your career when you do get to the NFL, because you’re prepared for that time when you get there."

As for the virtual component of Arch Manning in a Texas uniform, that will have to wait another year as well. EA Sports has done a very good job at paying the players that will be stars on the field this season, so I wouldn't expect this to become a trend. 

Make no mistake about it, once Arch Manning becomes THE man at Texas, you'll start to see him agree to more deals related to his NIL.