It took two years, but the Arch Manning era is just about to begin for Texas. Despite the long wait behind now NFL-bound Quinn Ewers, Manning explained Thursday that he never would have transferred to leave this dream behind.

After Texas held its eighth practice of the spring on Thursday, Arch Manning held court with the local media for the first time as a starter.

Arch Manning bided his time behind Quinn Ewers for two seasons, patiently waiting in the wings until it was his turn to take over as Texas’ starting quarterback. It wasn’t always easy, Manning said Thursday afternoon in his first media appearance of the spring with local reporters in Austin.