Texas 2025 Spring Camp Series: Arch Manning Will Be Even Better Than You Think

Along with a hefty amount of pollen, spring is in the air. The Texas Football program is currently on spring break ahead of the official start of spring ball on Tuesday, March 25th. 

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With so many new players in the program, whether added from the transfer portal or high school, what better time to assess what we hope to learn at each position group over the next month and change?

The loss of so much talent to the NFL creates plenty of angles to assess, so let’s get to assessin’.

We’ve already hit three position groups. If you missed any, feel free to take a look.

Defensive Tackles
Running Backs
Wide Receivers
Linebackers

With the first practice starting tomorrow, let’s talk about where it all begins for Texas Football: Quarterback Arch Manning.

People Still Don’t Know What’s Coming

I have never been more confident in a football player than I am — and have been — in Arch Manning. That confidence was built during his recruitment, when we developed a thorough mental profile to learn if he’d really choose 5–7 Texas over Georgia and Alabama. Conventional wisdom, like faux insiders, is often wrong — but I almost want to give them a pass on Arch, because he really is different. He’s different as a player, different as a high-profile athlete, and different as a leader.

Anybody can see the natural passing ability and even his under-appreciated athleticism. But I love the mental evaluation just as much as the physical and athletic traits. He is relatable, tough, smart, goes hard in the gym, and he’ll let his n-u-teez hang out on the field. His coaches love him, and his teammates will follow him.

The first time he throws a bad pick, people will say he’s overrated. But those picks — assuming they come — will be a feature, not a bug. They’ll reflect his bold, confident style of play. Think Silas Bolden on punt returns — but on a much grander scale. Like with Bolden, Sark will want a light touch on the reins. He won’t want to tame him.

This spring is all about Manning gaining comfort in an offense that will see plenty of tweaks from last year — tweaks designed to take advantage of his unique skill set (pocket passing + ‘tight end’ athleticism) and advanced processing ability.

Sarkisian is going to put a lot on his third-year quarterback’s plate. Manning will have much to digest, but by the time the business trip to Columbus arrives, he’ll be as ready as the last Texas quarterback who swaggered into The Shoe.

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The Two Yutes Behind Manning

If you’re wondering what a “yute” is — I appreciate you playing along.

Behind Manning are redshirt freshman Trey Owens and true freshman K.J. Lacey. Backup quarterback is, understandably, a major question mark. Though Manning is built durably, he’s a competitive, physical player who doesn’t shy away from contact — and injuries are always possible.

Owens dazzled in last year’s spring game and certainly has the pocket passing tools to eventually excel, but how ready is he this year? Sark’s offense isn’t the easiest to master. Fortunately, Owens will receive far more reps than he did last spring.

While Owens has the prototypical size, Lacey might have the prototypical playmaking. IT has heard positive things about the young signal-caller, including that the staff’s confidence they can build a winning offensive system around him. But like Owens, how soon will that be feasible?

If Manning misses time, one thing will be critical: the ability for a young quarterback to lean on the run game and a simplified, quick-hitting passing attack.

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In Closing

The 2026 college football season is wide open, largely because so many title-contending programs have questions at quarterback. Due to his relative inexperience, it’s fair for people to wonder about an Arch Manning-led Texas team. But if they’re wondering, they don’t yet understand who he is — or what he’s about to become.

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Behind him, depth remains a question. Over the next month, we’ll find out just how big of one it really is.