AUSTTIN, Texas (AP) — Arch Manning and Malachi Nelson were two of the most coveted quarterback recruits in the country coming out of high school in 2023.

Both were can’t miss five-star prospects who were going to be leading two of the biggest programs and brands in college football to national title contention.

Yet their respective journeys to Saturday’s matchup of Manning’s No. 7 Texas Longhorns (1-1) against Nelson and UTEP (1-1) could not have been more different.

“We were both at the top of the recruiting boards in ’23. It’s going to be a fun little showdown,” Nelson said. “The environment is going to be rocking ... I can’t wait to get out there.”

Manning signed with Texas out of high school and stayed the course with the Longhorns, waiting as the understudy to Quinn Ewers the pa

See Full Page