Texas is drawing another round of preseason respect, and this time the spotlight is on the quarterback room.
CBS Sports analyst Blake Brockermeyer ranked the Longhorns No. 2 nationally entering 2026, putting Texas behind only Oregon and ahead of Utah, Ole Miss, Ohio State, LSU, USC, Miami, Houston and Notre Dame.
That placement starts with Arch Manning, who heads into his second season as Texas’ full-time starter after finishing his sophomore year strong. Brockermeyer believes there’s still another level for him to reach.
"Manning seemed to find his stride as last season progressed, and now he has a chance to take another major step with a more talented roster around him in 2026," wrote Brockermeyer.
But the ranking wasn’t built on Manning alone. Brockermeyer also pointed to the kind of depth that can separate a good quarterback room from a great one.
Texas added veteran transfer MJ Morris, who has 10 career starts across NC State, Maryland and Coastal Carolina. That gives Steve Sarkisian a proven option if anything goes sideways.
Then there’s the future side of the room, which is loaded with upside. Redshirt freshman KJ Lacey and true freshman Dia Bell give Texas two young quarterbacks Brockermeyer views as long-term pieces.
"The future of the room is just as interesting," Brockermeyer wrote. "Texas has two promising young gunslingers in Dia Bell and KJ Lacey, both of whom are talented enough to factor into the long-term picture."
Oregon claimed the top spot with a room led by returning starter and possible top-three NFL Draft pick Dante Moore, along with former Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola.
Still, Texas has put together a quarterback group that checks every box: a high-end starter, a seasoned backup and two promising youngsters waiting in the wings. If that level of talent holds up, Sarkisian’s biggest problem won’t be the depth chart. It’ll be what to do with all of it.
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