AUSTIN, Texas — Here's an offseason edition of "Four Downs" which features a look Arch Manning's continued development as a leader, Kenny Baker's value to the Longhorns and much more.
First Down: The Real Value in Arch Manning's Trip to St. Louis
Earlier this month, Texas redshirt sophomore quarterback Arch Manning's trip to Ryan Wingo's hometown of St. Louis caused a buzz on social media.
The reasoning was somewhat funny and light-hearted.
For starters, there was the obvious juxtaposition of Manning, who is the poster child for the "all-American" kid, decked out in a Vuori quarter-zip sweatshirt, as the only White person seen in the videos which were taken in the Greater Ville neighborhood of St. Louis – a neighborhood which has a 95.2% Black population, per the 2020 Census.
Several commentors took to social media, leaving good-natured comments about Manning "being in the trenches" with Wingo, fellow wide receivers Aaron Butler and DeAndre Moore Jr. and defensive standout Colin Simmons.
Yes, I can completely understand the hilarity of the sight and I don't blame anyone for making note of crown prince of football's royal family in the Manning's, posted up in an area where the median household income ranges between $26,250-$31,700, depending on the source.
However, I'm here to say there's much more substance to take away from the visit than what most folks were quick to point out online.
During spring camp, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian spoke about the addition of former West Virginia head coach Neal Brown to the Longhorns' staff.