Arch Manning, the highly touted rookie quarterback for the Texas Longhorns, had some unexpected competition with starting starting quarterback Quinn Ewers this offseason.
Ewers is expected to retain his starting position when college football season begins this fall, but Manning seems to want to get the best out of his fellow quarterback in the weight room.
The body makeover competition seemed to reach its peak when a photo shoot recently went viral.
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Quarterbacks Quinn Ewers (3) and Arch Manning (16) speak during the 2023 Texas Longhorns first football practice at Frank Denius Fields on the University of Texas at Austin campus on March 6, 2023. (Aaron E. Martinez/American-Statesman/USA Today)
But Ewers explained that the viral photos they were simply the result of a few teammates having fun.
«We got addicted to doing crunches, working biceps and triceps and all that stuff,» Ewers explained during an interview with ESPN. «It was just fun. And then the more we did it, the more position groups were staying in the locker room afterwards, which is cool to see that.»
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The photo showed five shirtless members of the Texas football team, including Manning, flexing inside a gym.
In early March, following the Longhorns’ first spring practice, head coach Steve Sarkisian discussed the quarterback competition between Ewers and Manning.
«I’m not worried about who will be on the cover of which magazine next week,» Sarkisian said, according to ESPN.
«I’m more focused on whether each guy is focusing on what he needs to do to become the best player he can be. Quinn has a full year ahead, but I don’t want to hold Arch back.» back. I want to see how far this thing can take and what it can look like.»
Arch Manning of the Texas Longhorns reacts during the Texas Orange-White spring football game at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on April 15, 2023, in Austin, Texas. (Tim Warner/Getty Images)
Ewers transferred from Ohio State and handled starting quarterback duties for 10 games in 2022. He finished the season with 2,177 passing yards and 15 touchdowns.
Manning, 19, completed 5 of his 13 passes for 30 yards during the Longhorns’ spring football game in April.
Texas Quinn Ewers (3) in action, passing against Alabama at Darrell K Royal Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas on September 10, 2022. (Greg Nelson/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)
The more experienced Ewers threw for 195 yards and a touchdown during the game.
Quarterback Maalik Murphy also saw action during the spring game, throwing a reel-worthy 79-yard touchdown pass.
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Texas opens the season on September 2 against Rice.