In the latest episode of “Fansville,” Deputy Quinn Ewers is urged to call for backup but resists. After a brief exchange with his fellow officer, Texas’ third-year starting quarterback delivers the punchline.

“We don’t need any backup, even if he has great hair and famous relatives,” Ewers said.

The allusion to Arch Manning is both an amusing moment and clever writing in Ewers’ national Dr Pepper commercial. But it also hints at the unique dynamic at Texas. Ewers, the former No. 1 recruit in America, is one of the most well-known names in the sport, a Heisman Trophy candidate who took the Longhorns to the College Football Playoff last year.

Yet Manning, the nephew of Peyton and Eli Manning, grandson of Archie Manning and son of Cooper, still looms large, at least figuratively, because of those famous relatives and Arch’s lofty recruiting status (he also was the No. 1 recruit in his class). That Arch has appeared in two games and attempted just five passes in his Longhorns career yet is still given a wink and a nod in the starting quarterback’s ad underscores the intrigue surrounding him.

But 19 months into his college career, we’ve seen only 27 game snaps of Arch, which only heightens the fascination (fans love the backup quarterback, right?). How much will we see of the redshirt freshman in 2024?

Manning remains patient

One of the first questions casual observers ask about Manning is whether he has considered transferring since he hasn’t started. To this point, Manning has given no indication that’s in the cards.

It’s fair to wonder because transfer quarterbacks have become the norm. Of the 68 power conference teams, 43 are expected to start transfers this season, according to Yahoo Sports, a 63 percent rate.

But when asked in December before the Sugar Bowl whether he considered making a move while practicing as third on the depth chart most of the season, Manning said no.

“I haven’t looked into transferring at all,” he said then. “I’m just focused on developing and helping this team in any way I can. And hopefully one day playing for the University of Texas like I’ve always wanted to.”

This summer at the Manning Passing Academy, he reiterated his desire to stay in Austin while acknowledging how tough it is to stay patient.

“It’s tough because you want to be out there playing with your boys,” Manning said in July. “But (it came down to) just realizing there’s nowhere else I want to be, and it was my dream to play at Texas. I’m going to stick it out and play there eventually.”

GO DEEPER

Arch Manning and other QBs explain decision to transfer or stay put

Manning and his family put a lot of time and care into the recruiting process. Arch knew what he was stepping into with Ewers already at Texas. The chance to develop under Texas coach Steve Sarkisian, who has a long track record of coaching successful quarterbacks, was important to Manning.

Sarkisian’s pupils include former USC quarterbacks Carson Palmer, Matt Leinart and Mark Sanchez, former Washington quarterback Jake Locker and former Alabama quarterbacks Tua Tagovailoa and Mac Jones.

“Part of your recruiting is your track record,” Sarkisian said at SEC media days. “We’ve been fortunate to coach some pretty good quarterbacks. We’ve been fortunate to do it for some decades now. We’ve been fortunate to have some really good quarterback rooms, and I think the Manning family is pretty well aware of that.

“I think they trained Arch to try to put himself in the best position to try to play in the best conference in America and then ultimately put himself in the best position to further his career playing in the National Football League.”

Because of that plan, Sarkisian doesn’t think Manning’s decision to wait it out has been too difficult.

“I think Arch’s development has been important to the family, and he’s reaping the benefit of those things,” Sarkisian said. “It hasn’t been very difficult at all. I think it’s been pretty simple for him.”

In Texas’ spring game, Arch Manning completed 19 of 25 passes for 355 yards and three touchdowns. (Sara Diggins / USA Today)

Ewers is entrenched as the starter

Going into 2024, there’s no doubt who QB1 is at Texas and there shouldn’t be. Ewers, who bypassed the NFL Draft to return for one more season, took big steps forward in 2023. He substantially improved in most major statistical categories including completion percentage (58.1 to 69 percent), passing yards (2,177 to 3,479), touchdowns (15 to 22), yards per attempt (7.4 to 8.8) and passer rating (132.6 to 158.6). He also became more consistent.

This year, he’s starting to have the look of a leader. Sarkisian said in July that even though his physical development and progression have been great, he has been more excited about Ewers’ personal and emotional development.

“That has instilled a ton of confidence in everybody in our building,” Sarkisian said. “He walks in that building like he is the starting quarterback at the University of Texas for a top-five football team, and I think that has permeated throughout our locker room. …

“Now do I want more touchdowns, less interceptions, higher completion percentage? Of course. But I think those things are a byproduct of his preparation, are a byproduct of the confidence that he exudes and the way he goes to work.”

History says the Longhorns will need Arch at some point

In each of Sarkisian’s three seasons, he has had to turn to his backup quarterback. In 2021, he benched Hudson Card for Casey Thompson two weeks into the season but wound up needing both down the stretch because of injuries.

In 2022, Ewers missed three games with an injury and missed two more last year. With this season potentially longer because of the 12-team Playoff, it stands to reason that, at some point, the Longhorns need to turn to Manning.

“Very comfortable if Arch goes in the game that he’ll go in and operate and operate at a high level,” Sarkisian said Thursday.

There’s excitement around Manning’s development

Last season was a learning experience for Manning. After starting his entire high school career, sitting on the bench as QB3 was a challenge, especially in his first months on campus.

“There were a lot of tough days. I’m not going to lie,” Manning said in December. “I was never a backup in high school. There are some days when you graduate early, you’re alone in your dorm room and you’re like, ‘It’s another day of fighting for the third-string job.’”

In his first spring game, things were clearly moving fast for Manning. By the time he made his college debut against Texas Tech, flashes of his athletic ability and arm talent were present. But there were still some freshman jitters as he dropped a shotgun snap.

This spring, he showed significant growth. Manning dazzled in the Orange and White game, looking comfortable, confident and in command while throwing for 355 yards and three touchdowns. He was accurate with four of his seven incompletions hitting a receiver’s hands.

With Texas’ 2023 backup, Maalik Murphy, having transferred to Duke, Manning is the clear No. 2 quarterback. Sarkisian said as the Longhorns embark on the 2024 season, Manning has taken a big step forward in his development.

“I’d probably say (he’s) light-years ahead of where he was last year at this time,” Sarkisian said Thursday. “His understanding of what we’re trying to do offensively, the nuances of the scheme, the timing of certain throws, the protections, all of those things. And I just think his overall comfort level and confidence is much higher than it was a year ago at this time.”

On Monday, Sarkisian said he wants to play a lot of players in the early part of the season as Texas develops depth for a season it hopes extends into mid-January. “If you’re in the two-deep, you’re playing in the first half,” Sarkisian said.

Does that mean Manning will play in the first half Saturday against Colorado State?

“We’ll find out,” Sarkisian said.

(Photo: Tim Warner / Getty Images)

EXCLUSIVE: Donovan Dijak made his Major League Wrestling (MLW) debut Thursday night at the promotion’s Summer of the Beasts show in New York City.

The countdown to doomsday clock MLW had been promoting expired and out came the former WWE star. 

The 6-foot-7 giant, flanked by manager Saint Laurent, entered the ring and began to take out anyone who dared to challenge him. He then proceeded to mock the bodies left in the ring.

Still buzzing from making his debut hours before, Dijak told Fox News Digital in an exclusive interview he thought everything went great.

“I was first sort of introduced to the concept a couple of weeks ago,” he said. “But, yeah, the execution was flawless. I was very happy with the presentation and everything that was kind of laid out for me beforehand.”

Dijak said he was impressed with the presentation he saw of himself on the video screen behind him as he walked to the stage, down the ramp and into the ring. He said parts of the video that were included in his presentation were filmed shortly beforehand.

“I was totally blown away with that turnaround,” he said. “The video looked amazing too for such a short turnaround. I thought that was incredibly impressive for it to be sort of TV ready within minutes. I was just super blown away. And then, of course, the execution of this match, with all the talent and then afterward, was just tremendous.”

It’s only been a few months since Dijak and WWE went their separate ways. Dijak had a tremendous run at NXT and was selected to “Raw” during the WWE Draft.

Since then, Dijak has been back on the independent wrestling circuit. Where Dijak landed Thursday isn’t just some rinky-dink operation. MLW has been in the pro wrestling landscape since 2017, headed by Court Bauer a former WWE writer.

Talented pro wrestlers have moved through the company, including Alex Shelley, Austin Aries, Lexis King (then known as Brian Pillman Jr.), Francine, Gangrel, Jacob Fatu, Karrion Kross (then known as Killer Kross), Konnan, Matt Cardona, MJF, Tajiri and several others. 

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The roster now includes established talents like KENTA, Matt Riddle, Satoshi Kojima, Mistico, Minoru Suzuki, Bobby Fish and The Andersons, among others.

It’s that type of prestige, along with the trust that was instilled in him, that appealed to Dijak. He told Fox News Digital he’s never been presented with a laid-out plan before – until now.

Donovan Dijak embraces the crowd at Summer of the Beasts. (MLW)

“This is the first time where I got really sort of a set in stone answer even before we began,” he said. “I’m 37 years old. I don’t have a ton of time left in my career to be kind of hoping and praying that my hard work goes rewarded. 

“So, to know right from the get-go that this is going to be the presentation, this is how it’s going to look, and ‘We need you to fill your end of the bargain.’ Well, that’s something that I could really dive headfirst into because I know what I can bring to the table. The question mark in my mind has always been, ‘OK, is that going to be reciprocated in a fashion that helps me, elevates me.’ And sometimes the answer is yes, and sometimes the answer is no.

“But to this level that is committing to me is further than I’ve ever seen that aspect of it. So, I’m very excited in that regard.”

Dijak wouldn’t divulge how many shows he’s committed to for MLW. Fightland takes place in Atlanta Sept. 14, followed by Slaughterhouse on Oct. 4 in St. Petersburg, Florida; Lucha Apocalypto in Chicago Nov. 9; and One Show in New York City Dec. 5. In between, MLW: Fusion can be seen on YouTube, beIN Sports and Fite TV+.

Dijak said he is looking to make a run at the MLW world heavyweight championship, which is held by Kojima.

“I’m going to continue what I always do and that’s have the best matches in the world and have the best match on any given night on any given platform,” Dijak told Fox News Digital. “That’s what I’ve done on every show that I’ve ever been on for the past decade of my career. That’s not going to change anytime soon.

“MLW is going to get that from me, and I think they know that they’re going to get that from me. And I respect that they recognize that right off the bat, and we’re going to go to work right away.”

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NHL All-Star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew, were killed Thursday evening when they were hit by a suspected drunken driver while riding bicycles in New Jersey, according to police.

They died one day before their sister, Katie, was to be married.

The Gaudreau brothers were to be groomsmen at the wedding scheduled for Friday in Philadelphia. Johnny Gaudreau, 31, was an 11-year NHL veteran, and the Columbus Blue Jackets — his team since 2022 — described the deaths as an “unimaginable tragedy” in a social media post.

Reaction was swift, heartfelt and came from across the sports landscape.

Former Calgary Flames teammate Blake Coleman posted that he was “completely gutted. The world just lost one of the best,” and retired goaltender Eddie Lack wrote on X, “I don’t know why I’m even writing right now I’m shaking but Johnny was one of my favorite teammates I’ve ever played with. Always happy, always spreading positivity around him. Rest in Peace my friend and prayers for your wonderful family. Hug your loved ones.”

Lakers star LeBron James, who’s from Akron, Ohio, wrote on X: “Insane man! I instantly got so down and sad after reading the story. My thoughts and prayers goes out to the Gaudreau family! May Johnny and Matthew fly high, guide/guard and bless their family/s from the heavens above.”

New Jersey State police said Sean M. Higgins, 43, attempted to pass two other vehicles and struck the cycling Gaudreau brothers from behind. Higgins, of Woodstown, N.J., is suspected of being under the influence of alcohol and was charged with two counts of death by auto. He is in custody.

According to the criminal complaint obtained by the Associated Press, Higgins told a responding officer he had five or six beers prior to the crash and admitted to consuming alcohol while driving. He failed a field sobriety test, the complaint said, though his blood-alcohol level was not immediately available.

“While Johnny’s infectious spirit for the game and show-stopping skills on the ice earned him the nickname ‘Johnny Hockey,’ he was more than just a dazzling hockey player; he was a doting father and beloved husband, son, brother and teammate who endeared himself to every person fortunate enough to have crossed his path,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said.

The “Johnny Hockey” nickname was rooted in Gaudreau’s dynamic blend of skill and speed on the ice. Undersized at 5 feet 9 and 175 pounds, he became a fan favorite who starred for the Flames for nine years. He was an All-Star in 2022 when he posted a career-high 40 goals and 75 assists.

In an unexpected move, Gaudreau signed a seven-year, $68.25-million contract with the Blue Jackets in 2022, choosing the perennial underdogs over more comparable deals offered by the more established New Jersey Devils and New York Islanders.

Gaudreau helped Boston College win the NCAA championship in 2012, and in 2014 was given the Hobey Baker Award as the nation’s top college player. In the NHL, he scored 20-plus goals six times and totaled 642 points in 644 regular-season and playoff games.

Matthew Gaudreau, 29, graduated from Boston College in 2017 and played minor league hockey, most recently with the Worcester Railers in 2022. He was the hockey coach at Gloucester Catholic High in New Jersey the last two seasons.

“I am devastated and heartbroken over the news of the death of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau,” said Jerry York, who coached the Gaudreaus at Boston College. “They were not only great hockey players, but two outstanding young men. They represented their families and Boston College with the utmost class. Please keep the Gaudreau family in your prayers during this tragic and unspeakable time.”

NHLPA executive director Marty Walsh said: “Johnny was a beloved teammate and friend in both Calgary and Columbus, and he was a joy to watch during his 10 years and 763 games in the NHL. … The players and staff of the NHLPA are devastated by these terrible losses.”

USA Hockey said, “Words cannot appropriately express the sorrow the hockey community is feeling.”

The Flames said Gaudreau “came to Calgary as a young man and grew up here, not only as a superstar on the ice but also a beloved member of our community.”

Johnny Gaudreau leaves his wife, Meredith, and two young children, Noa and Johnny. Matthew Gaudreau is survived by his wife of three years, Madeline.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.