Arch Manning continues to be the hype in Texas. The kid has the internet buzzing like never before. While much of the attention is due to his prestigious last name, it’s also because of his impressive performance when Quinn Ewers suffered a torn oblique during the 2024 season. Arch started games against UL Monroe and Mississippi State and filled in for his QB1 when the Longhorns needed him the most. He recorded 939 passing yards, nine touchdowns, and two interceptions. Naturally, one thinks about the kind of wonders he’d produce when he gets to start at the position. Well, he’s getting the start in 2025. However, Ewers is a tough act to follow. Steve Sarkisian’s trusted soldier took Texas out of the well of mediocrity to regular playoff features.
Sarkisian’s new QB1 is already starting to garner serious Heisman hype and a pretty early 2026 NFL draft buzz. Remember. He is yet to take a snap as the QB1. Can he successfully shoulder all the weight? Well, individually, he might be able to hold on to his end of the stick. But the risk lies in the fact that Arch needs to step up as a game changer, a leader of a revamped offense.
“A quarterback stepping into his first season as QB1, the stakes could not be higher,” Adam Breneman added to the existing fear in the Longhorns camp. “Manning’s challenge isn’t just the opponent. Texas is stepping into the 2025 season with a reshuffled roster. Their top three receivers from last year are gone, offensive linemen who protected Ewers for three years. Multiple starters are off the board.”
WRs, including five-star Kaliq Lockett, four-star Jaime Ffrench, and the No. 1-ranked athlete in the class of 2025, Michael Terry III, are handed the task of carrying a fresh offense for the Longhorns. They all are extremely gifted, but the scale is highly up in the air. Manning is supposed to handle them like a veteran. Sarkisian already dished him a glimpse of the reality, saying that he will be under unbridled scrutiny outside the building.
Nobody will be ready to let go of a mistake. Any slump in his performance will affect the youngsters on the roster and vice versa. So, there is little to no room for a trial. No retake, no second chance! “This is a fresh offense, new faces, and unproven chemistry. So, now the question isn’t whether Arch Manning can succeed, it’s whether he can lead an offense in transition and make everyone else better,” Breneman pointed out the ultimate deciding factor of Manning’s Texas valuation, “That’s what will separate a good quarterback from a great one.”
Transition years are probably the hardest in sports. The structure of college football forces you to undergo transition when you produce an NFL-worthy class. It’s a guarantee that your stars will leave for the pros. The same happened with Steve Sarkisian. For Arch, it doesn’t do him any good. It’s hard enough that you have the baggage of your family’s legacy on your shoulders. Add to that the stress of starting as the QB1. And then you also have to be the leader while not really being a veteran. To add to Arch Manning’s woes, Texas is suffering an injury scare right at the moment
Texas injury is raising concerns amidst the growing uncertainty
Ryan Wingo is off with a hamstring injury. Deondre Moore, the other leading WR in the house, is also on the shelf with a reported foot injury. He has been largely limited during the spring, leaving Sarkisian in serious jeopardy. Wingo has been instrumental in handling the Longhorns’ offense throughout 2024. Despite a mid-season slump, he showcased great resilience. In the Red River Rivalry, he splashed brilliance with 25 rushing yards and two pass catches for 49 yards.
Having Wingo around would have resolved a lot of issues for Manning as he’s collecting his resort to read and nail his new role. The 21-year-old hasn’t even thrown 100 collegiate passes yet, but he has the heart of an entire nation beating faster for a miraculous future.
Steve Sarkisian’s squad’s offense is also suffering from other threats. Freddie Dubose’s portal rumors are swirling over the lore. With all said and done, the Longhorns’ offense simply seems to be a gamble. With the depth chart carrying some wounds, Arch Manning can be the only answer. Although those who know the sport can’t dismiss the idea of some early stumbles on the road, there is still a way to surpass them. The risk is high, but so is the hope.
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