Calls for Arch Manning to leave Texas grew louder this week as a chorus of national voices suggested the quarterback might be better off elsewhere.
Former NFL quarterback and ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky was among the most direct. “Arch should definitely go back to school (as of right now) and definitely not at Texas,” Orlovsky said on social media this morning.
He wasn’t alone in floating a possible exit. Sports Illustrated’s Gene Wojciechowski pointed to Indiana as a destination, linking Manning to the work head coach Curt Cignetti did with No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza in 2025.
“I’m not saying it hasn’t worked out, but could it work out better someplace else, given what Curt Cignetti has shown, is it Indiana?” he questioned. Pat Forde then piled on, calling it a possible “one year rocket ride” for Manning to the top of the draft board.
CBS Sports analyst Pete Prisco also suggested Manning could move on from Texas, while former NFL general manager Ran Carthon offered Miami as another possible landing spot.
While the outside noise builds, Texas is making a move of its own at quarterback practice. ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported the Longhorns are “expected to give an up-tick in first-team quarterback reps to redshirt freshman KJ Lacey Jr this week in practice.”
Even with that development, Steve Sarkisian left no room for debate about the current depth chart. The Texas coach said Manning remains the starter.
“Arch can play better for us; he’s our starter, but I need to see a better version of Arch Manning,” Sarkisian said Monday. “Like I need to see a better version of a lot of guys on our offensive football team right now. We need to see a better version of him this week.”
Through six games, Manning has completed 63.9% of his passes for 1,295 yards with 11 touchdowns and five interceptions. He has also been sacked 17 times, a steep jump from the 23 times Texas allowed him to be sacked across the entire 2025 season.
No. 19 Texas will host No. 7 Ole Miss on Saturday night.
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The question now is whether Michigan can convince Wade its path is worth a serious look, even with concerns about quarterback development lingering around the program. Bryce Underwoods benching has not gone unnoticed, and the Wolverines could also try to make the pitch more appealing with a major NIL package, though it is unclear whether that kind of offer will actually come together. [Read more 🡒]