SEC Media Days: Arch Manning receives high praise from LSU QB, Vandy wants Texas

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Longhorns don’t step behind the podium until Tuesday at the Southeastern Conference football media days in Atlanta. Still, there was plenty of talk about them by others on Monday’s opening day.

Naturally, discussions gravitated toward Texas starting quarterback Arch Manning. Louisiana State junior quarterback Garrett Nussmeier and Manning were roommates recently at the Manning Passing Academy, and Nussmeier gushed about him.

“I love Arch. He’s a great player,” Nussmeier said. “I’m excited for him. He went through a similar experience I had to go through in waiting for your time and opportunity. He’s very prepared, and obviously, he comes from a very prestigious family that understands the game very well.”

According to FanDuel, Manning and Nussmeier are the favorites, at least at this moment, to win the Heisman Trophy. FanDuel has Manning on top at +700 with Nussmeier not far behind at +800. Westlake graduate and Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik comes in third at +900.

Nussmeier threw for more than 4,000 yards last year for the Tigers, tossing 29 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 13 games, and has 31 games under his belt. Meanwhile, Manning has played in 12 games with nine passing touchdowns (four rushing) and two interceptions, so Nussmeier certainly has the edge when it comes to experience. However, Nussmeier still thinks Manning is ready for the bright lights of big-time college football.

“I think he’s going to do very well. His mindset is great,” Nussmeier said. “He doesn’t feel like he’s earned anything, but I think he already has because of the type of player he is. I’m excited to watch him go prove it, and I’ll be rooting for him.”

Vanderbilt’s Pavia’s excited to get another shot at Longhorns

Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia nearly led the Commodores to an upset over the Longhorns last season in Nashville. All dressed up in his finest tuxedo, he couldn’t stop talking about getting one more crack at Texas in Austin this season.

“We want to go back and avenge all our losses from last year,” he said. “And we get to see them in Austin, so it’ll be a fun game.”

Texas beat Vanderbilt at FirstBank Stadium 27-24, but at least this season, the Commodores don’t have the element of surprise. After finishing 7-6 last year, their first winning season since 2013, the ‘Dores aren’t a doormat anymore. Part of the reason why is Austin LBJ superstar tailback Sedrick Alexander.

The all-time leading rusher among teams in the Austin Independent School District, Alexander’s toughness and willingness to do anything for the team are what head coach Clark Lea and Pavia say are his best attributes. Alexander rushed for 586 yards and six touchdowns last season.

“He’s someone I’ve always enjoyed,” Lea said. “Some of our best moments have been when I’ve challenged him in front of the team or one-on-one setting, and he’s always responded.”

Pavia called Alexander “different.”

“He doesn’t care if he’s playing injured or anything,” Pavia said. “We played kind of tore up in the back half of the season, but that’s my guy. He’s a different cat, for sure.”

KXAN’s Noah Gross and LeVon Whittaker contributed to this report from SEC Media Days in Atlanta