Arch Manning looks good at fall camp, but there's a lot more for Texas's QB1 to prove

All week long, Texas starting quarterback Arch Manning has produced highlight-reel throw after highlight-reel throw.

The Longhorns kicked off fall camp, and Manning has connected with his go-to guys time after time, slinging the rock to wide receivers Ryan Wingo and Cam Coleman, as well as connecting with expected starting tight end Michael Masunas.

However, while deep balls and tight spirals are a great sign that everything is feeling right for Manning, he still has a long way to go before he meets, or even exceeds, expectations.

Last year, the hype around Manning's first season as the Texas Longhorns' QB1 was deafening, and he fell well short of expectations. This year, they're just as loud, but it seems like the Horns were better prepared for how to handle it.

Yet, Manning still has to take the field in an actual game this season, and if his performances don't live up to the hype, all of these highlight reel-worthy passes will all be for naught.

Read more: The pressure isn't different, but Arch Manning is shouldering it differently

Luckily, everyone from head coach Steve Sarkisian to Athletic Director Chris Del Conte has talked about the growth that they've seen in Manning, even since last season ended.

Good throws are the minimum for Arch Manning's second year as Longhorns' starter

The good news? Or, maybe I should say, the even better news than Sarkisian praising his QB1? His teammates also have endless faith in him.

Wideout and return specialist Ryan Niblett told members of the media that one of the biggest differences in Manning this year is that he is the first person to arrive at every practice or workout and is the last person to leave.

Also read: Arch Manning may be more ready than ever after recovering from offseason foot surgery

However, like I said earlier, this season is about more than Manning completing an impressive throw during practice. That much should have been obvious already.

Yes, it's a quarterback's job to throw the ball, but it's also to run the offense, make wise decisions (getting rid of the ball when he needs to), and scramble out of chaotic situations.

Clearly, with how Niblett was talking about Manning's dedication to being the first in, last out, the leadership quality is there and has grown in the past year. We also know that his running abilities helped get the QB1 out of a lot of bad situations last year, and he now has an even better O-Line protecting him.

However, Manning was sacked 23 times last year, with season highs against lackluster teams like the Florida Gators (5 sacks) and the Mississippi State Bulldogs (6).

Manning can make all of the beautiful passes in the world that he wants to, but if he truly wants to be the best of the best, he has to take nearly perfect care of the ball, and that includes getting rid of it without connecting with a receiver sometimes.

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