Steve Sarkisian likes what he sees from Arch Manning heading into the 2026 season, and he’s not talking about the same quarterback Texas had at the start of last year.
Manning entered 2024 carrying a massive spotlight. He was the preseason Heisman favorite, and Texas opened the year as the No. 1 team in the country with national championship expectations after Manning had just two college starts. That setup brought plenty of noise, and the season didn’t unfold the way most people around the Longhorns had hoped.
Still, the finish gave Texas plenty to think about. Manning’s play over the final three games against Arkansas, Texas A&M, and Michigan left a much stronger impression and helped fuel anticipation for what he might look like in 2026.
At SEC Media Days, Sarkisian was asked how much more confident his quarterback is now compared with a year ago. His answer was clear.
"I think he's a lot more confident. Last season, he found out a lot about himself," Sarkisian said. "Any time that we're faced with adversity and we get on the other side of it, you gain confidence."
Sarkisian said the change goes beyond confidence. He pointed to Manning’s presence with teammates and the way he carries himself now.
"I think that you see a different leader in him and the way that he interacts with his teammates," said the head coach. "His work ethic has to change, but the ability to lead vocally is much different than before and he is very comfortable with who he is. He's not trying to be something that he's not."
Manning backed up the late-season buzz with production in those final three games, throwing for 789 yards, running for 213, accounting for 11 total touchdowns, and not throwing an interception. That stretch quieted plenty of the early criticism and the “nepo baby” chatter that had followed him.
Texas also heads into this season with plenty around him. The Longhorns added elite defensive pieces, a pair of explosive running backs, and the biggest wide receiver option in the portal during an offseason that was kind to the program.
With that kind of support and a more confident Manning, Texas has a real chance to push for the College Football Playoff. If it doesn’t happen, the spotlight won’t be hard to find.
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