Steve Sarkisian admits 'there's probably going to be some grace needed' with Arch Manning

Arch Manning is entering his first season as the unquestioned starting quarterback for Texas. Even though he has some experience under his belt, Steve Sarkisian is calling for a bit of a grace period in 2025 for the 19-year old.

Speaking with ESPN’s Pete Thamel, the Longhorns leader elaborated on if he’s expecting any growing pains with Manning this coming season. While the playing time he received in 2024 will help, Sarkisian recognizes being the No. 1 on the depth chart is a little different, and it might take Manning a bit to adjust when it’s time to put up or shut up.

“I think one, the exposure he got last season was helpful. He got two career starts. He started as our quarterback in the first SEC game in the history of the school. And those were not all perfect. Granted, there were some great moments. He threw nine touchdowns and almost a thousand yards. There was a couple of bad picks in there too,” Sarkisian stated.

“In the end, I think he understands he is not riding the emotional roller coaster of the opinions of others and staying [with a] level of consistency in his approach, in his play, in his ability to pick people up. Easier said than done when you’re not in the real fire of it all. But we are fortunate that he got exposed to some of that, and he threw a couple bad picks, and it was OK.

“… He’s learning. Yeah, there’s probably going to be some grace needed. Unfortunately, it’s probably not going to be grace granted outside of our building. Inside of our building, sure, there will be, but outside of the building, the pundits are going to be the pundits, the fans are going to be the fans, the opposing fans are going to be the fans. But inside our building, I think the support that he’s going to get is going to be one that he’ll definitely appreciate.”

All told, Manning won’t have much time to get his feet wet once the regular season begins. Texas starts their campaign with a doozy of a game, facing Ohio State in Columbus on Aug. 30. The quarterback will have to be ready for that one.

Steve Sarkisian is calling for grace, but Arch Manning might not get it outside of Austin. Time will tell how it all works out for Texas in 2025, but expectations are sky high for their new starting quarterback.