Greg McElroy, former Alabama quarterback and ESPN analyst, made an unexpected but insightful comparison ahead of the College Football Playoff (CFP), referencing the hit movie Mean Girls to offer his take on Texas freshman quarterback Arch Manning. Speaking on ESPN’s “College Football Live,” McElroy drew a parallel between Manning’s situation and the famous line from the film: “You can’t sit with us.”
McElroy explained that, much like the clique dynamics portrayed in Mean Girls, Manning’s path at Texas has been surrounded by pressure, expectations, and competition. As the nephew of NFL legends Peyton and Eli Manning, Arch entered Texas with immense hype. However, McElroy emphasized that while Manning was seen as the future of Texas football, he has faced hurdles—primarily, the presence of starting quarterback Quinn Ewers, who has led the Longhorns to an impressive season.
Despite the comparisons, McElroy offered a nuanced view. He suggested that Manning, like the character Cady Heron in Mean Girls, may initially feel like an outsider, especially given the veteran presence of Ewers and the seasoned leadership of head coach Steve Sarkisian. However, McElroy stressed that Manning’s time will come, and the experience he gains from observing Ewers’ leadership and Texas’ high-stakes games will ultimately prepare him for his own turn under center.
“Arch Manning has all the tools, but he needs time to develop, and that’s okay,” McElroy said. “The spotlight is already on him, but there’s a process to becoming the quarterback that Texas needs.”
With Texas firmly in the hunt for a CFP title, McElroy believes Manning’s future is bright, but the road to stardom requires patience and perseverance—a lesson that even Mean Girls can teach.