Arch Manning has gotten so much attention that even an SEC defensive coordinator is willing to admit he’s pulling for him - with one major exception.
Speaking to ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg, an anonymous SEC defensive coordinator said he hopes the Texas quarterback has a big 2026 season, but not when the Longhorns face his own team.
“He’s handled this situation better than anybody could possibly do,” the coach said, while making clear he’d like Manning to save one rough outing for their matchup.
That kind of praise is notable coming from the other side of the chessboard.
Manning arrived at Texas as the consensus No. 1 recruit in the 2023 class, and his last name ensured every throw would be measured against a standard few teenagers could ever meet. Being Peyton and Eli Manning’s nephew came with expectations that were always going to be enormous.
So far, though, the spotlight hasn’t turned into chaos.
Instead, Manning has settled in as the face of Steve Sarkisian’s program and produced at a strong clip. Last season, the 6-4, 222-pound quarterback threw for 3,163 yards, 26 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He also added 399 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns, giving Texas a threat beyond the pocket that doesn’t fit the classic Manning mold.
The arm talent has drawn notice too. One SEC defensive coordinator said Manning can generate elite velocity and also praised his accuracy.
That’s where the challenge gets even tougher for defenses, because Texas has built more firepower around him. Auburn transfer Cam Coleman is in after posting 1,306 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns over two seasons. Ryan Wingo is back after collecting 1,306 yards and nine touchdowns in his first two years.
Pick your poison. Shade Coleman and Wingo can hurt you.
Lean toward Wingo and Coleman can make you pay in single coverage. And if the coverage turns its back for even a second, Manning can take off and steal yards with his legs.
So yes, the opposition can admire him. They just don’t want that admiration turning into a highlight reel against them.
In Other News...
Texas Scrimmage Hinted At The Offensive Change Fans Have Wanted
Texas released a fresh batch of fall camp highlights from a behind-closed-doors scrimmage, and the emphasis was hard to miss. The clips leaned heavily toward the offense, with Cam Coleman popping up on the perimeter and a trio of running backs getting run in a setting that seemed designed to showcase how much the unit has been stressed in camp. After last season's struggles on the ground, the Longhorns have made clear they want the running game to look more dependable, and the additions in the backfield and along the offensive line are part of that push.
Steve Sarkisian also used the scrimmage to manage workloads for some of the program's biggest names, keeping several top players from piling up live reps. That left the focus on the broader depth chart and on whether the offense can look more balanced when the full group is on the field, which is exactly the kind of question Texas is trying to answer before the season starts. [Read more 🡒]
Texas Fall Camp Is Turning Up Pressure In Key Position Battles
Texas finished its first fall camp scrimmage with a little less than a full deck, as the flu kept some players out and gave the coaching staff one more variable to sort through before the opener. Even so, defensive coordinator Will Muschamp's group came away looking encouraging, and the larger story remains the same: this is the part of camp where reps matter and every snap can start to shape a depth chart.
Several names are in the mix as the Longhorns sort through key roles, including Ty'Anthony Smith, Justin Cryer, Daylan McCutcheon, Nick Townsend, Jonah Williams and Kobe Black. Coaches have made it clear that the next few weeks are about more than just getting through camp cleanly, with position battles and player development standing front and center as Texas tries to define who fits where before kickoff. [Read more 🡒]