Arch Manning is hitting a brief pause this offseason.
The redshirt sophomore quarterback underwent minor foot surgery earlier this week, Texas Athletics confirmed Friday morning. The procedure, described as a preventative measure to address a previous injury, will limit Manning’s participation in offseason workouts.
The good news? He’s expected to be fully ready for spring football.
While the program didn’t dive into the specifics of the injury or how long it had been bothering him, the timing and tone of the update suggest Texas is playing the long game here-prioritizing health now to avoid setbacks later.
And make no mistake: Manning’s health is central to Texas’ plans as the Longhorns gear up for their third season in the SEC. Coming off a 10-3 campaign that ended just shy of a College Football Playoff berth, expectations in Austin are sky-high. With SEC title hopes and playoff dreams very much alive, Texas needs its QB1 at full strength.
Manning isn’t the only Longhorn going under the knife this offseason. In total, six players have had procedures since the season wrapped.
The list includes some key contributors: sophomore wide receiver Ryan Wingo (wrist), sophomore linebacker Ty’Anthony Smith (shoulder), and sophomore wideout Emmett Mosley V (ankle). Like Manning, all are expected to be fully cleared by the time fall camp rolls around.
Manning’s Citrus Bowl performance was a strong reminder of what he brings to the table. In the win over Michigan, he turned in one of his most electric outings of the season-rushing for a season-high 155 yards and two scores, while adding 221 yards and two touchdowns through the air. It was the kind of dual-threat showing that makes coaches dream and defensive coordinators lose sleep.
Heading into 2026, the Longhorns’ offense will continue to revolve around Manning’s ability to extend plays with his legs and make quick, smart decisions from the pocket. His consistency, leadership, and-most importantly-his health will be the engine behind Texas’ push for national relevance.
Manning is expected to be back at full speed this spring and will enter his redshirt junior season with the Longhorns opening at home against Texas State on September 5. If he picks up where he left off in Orlando, Texas fans have every reason to believe this could be a special year.