Calls for Arch Manning to leave Texas are getting louder, but the Longhorns are still treating him like their guy.
The latest wave of speculation picked up when former NFL quarterback and ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky said Manning should move on. “Arch should definitely go back to school (as of right now) and definitely not at Texas,” Orlovsky said on social media this morning.
That wasn’t the only exit talk floating around. Sports Illustrated’s Gene Wojciechowski pointed to Indiana as a possible destination, tying the idea to what 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 quickly added to the buzz, calling it a potential “one year rocket ride” for Manning toward the top of the draft board. CBS Sports analyst Pete Prisco also suggested Manning could be headed elsewhere, while former NFL general manager Ran Carthon floated Miami as another option.
Still, Texas isn’t acting like a program ready to turn the page. 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 said Monday that 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.”
Manning’s numbers this season show why the conversation has started to build. He is completing 63.9% of his passes for 1,295 yards with 11 touchdowns and five interceptions. He has also been sacked 17 times in just six games, which is already more than the 23 sacks he took in the entire 2025 season.
The next test comes Saturday night, when No. 19 Texas hosts No. 7 Ole Miss.
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