Steve Sarkisian describes how Arch Manning has progressed this offseason

Steve Sarkisian has always known Arch Manning had everything it took to be great. It’s why he recruited the 2023 No. 1 overall recruit to Texas in the first place.

And through the first few months of the Arch Manning Era in Austin, the Longhorns’ (expected) new starting quarterback remains the same focused, fun-loving and humble player that Sarkisian first brought to campus two years ago. It’s safe to say Sarkisian has been a fan.

“The thing about Arch is this, from the day he arrived, there’s been a real sense of humility about him,” Sarkisian said during a recent pre-Spring press conference. “If you didn’t know his last name and didn’t know the face, and just looked at the body of work, the teammate that he is, the work ethic that he has, his commitment to his craft, his commitment to his teammates, this process has been underway for a couple of years.”

A key part of Manning’s commitment to his craft has been a complete embracing of his newly adopted role. Now, he’s Austin’s new sheriff in town as Texas’ starting quarterback and team captain.

Steve Sarkisian: Arch Manning ‘doesn’t want to leave any stone unturned’

“Now that we’ve kind of embarked on the 2025 season, I just continue to see a guy that’s taken it and is really trying to really go for it. He just doesn’t want to leave any stone unturned. He’s working at his craft,” Sarkisian continued. “He’s working so hard in the offseason conditioning runs. He’s now setting up those voluntary throwing sessions with the receivers during the week or on the weekend. He’s breaking the team down. All those natural things that a quarterback has to do to instill belief in his teammates, to instill belief in the staff, he’s doing it.”

While serving as Quinn Ewers’ much-ballyhooed backup QB through his first two seasons in Austin, Manning established himself as a playmaker. He combined for 1,084 total yards and 13 touchdowns — most of that coming last season in a complimentary role.

Now, as THE guy in Texas’ pro-style offense, Manning is all-in on the opportunity ahead of him. And Sarkisian couldn’t be happier with what he’s seen from the NFL and SEC legacy.

“More importantly for him, which I love, he’s having fun doing it. And it doesn’t feel like he’s working this. He’s playing the game of football, he’s being a great teammate,” Sarkisian added. “There’s going to be bumps in the road, that’s part of it. I’d love for him to go out and throw a touchdown every pass that he throws, but that’s not a reality. And he’s going to hear the murmurs from the crowd, and that’s part of it too. That’s part of playing this position. But in the end, I think he’s enjoying the process of it and he loves his teammates. I’m really proud of him up to this point. We’ve got a long way to go still.”