Texas A&M’s quarterback picture could be headed for a major shake-up, and that uncertainty has now put a familiar name in the conversation.
With redshirt junior Marcel Reed trending the wrong way and backup Brady Hart apparently not ready to step into the job this season or in 2027, Mike Elko may be forced to go shopping for a proven quarterback through the transfer portal. If that happens, the price tag figures to be steep.
There are already a few names worth tracking. Alabama backup Austin Mack and Oregon State quarterback Brandon Atkenson are among the possibilities drawing attention from multiple Power Four programs that need help under center.
But the more eye-catching name in the discussion is Texas quarterback Arch Manning.
The Longhorns’ season has taken a sharp turn, with back-to-back SEC losses to unranked Oklahoma and Florida. Manning struggled in both games, including a 173-yard, one-touchdown performance against Florida’s vulnerable secondary.
On "That SEC Podcast," hosts Michael Bratton and Cousin Shane floated several programs that could chase the former five-star prospect if Texas misses the College Football Playoff for the second straight year and potentially parts ways with Steve Sarkisian. Texas A&M was on that list.
Manning has the arm talent to work in College Station, but the issue at Texas has been bigger than one player. Sarkisian’s stubborn play-calling and poor protection up front have helped fuel the slide, and the result has been a surprising losing streak.
Still, a move to Texas A&M feels like a long shot. If Manning does hit the portal, Oklahoma, LSU, Ole Miss - where his grandfather and uncle played - South Carolina and Tennessee are also expected to be in the mix. Like former Texas A&M quarterback and Houston Cougars star Conner Weigman, Manning could also benefit from a fresh start in the NFL.
In Other News...
Vanderbilt Heads Into Bye With A Few Bright Spots And Bigger Worries
The bye week arrived with Vanderbilt carrying more frustration than momentum after a loss to No. 12 Kentucky pushed the Commodores to 0-5 in SEC play. Still, there were a few signs worth building on. Tight ends Cole Spence and Jayvontay Conner both showed up in the passing game, while receiver Junior Sherrill gave the offense a needed spark. Quarterback Jared Curtis also had moments that suggested there is something to work with as Vanderbilt sorts through a difficult stretch.
The bigger issue is how quickly the game turned once the early positives faded. Vanderbilts rushing attack never found much room, and the defense, after a strong opening, spent the rest of the afternoon trying to hold up against a Kentucky offense that kept piling up yards. For a team heading into a week off, the challenge is clear: preserve the encouraging individual performances, then use the break to fix the structural problems that have made SEC play so unforgiving. [Read more 🡒]
Vanderbilts Bowl Hopes Could Ride On This November Road Test
Vanderbilts November push now has a clear checkpoint on the calendar, with the SEC setting the Commodores road game at Mississippi State for the week of Nov. 7. The matchup adds another layer to a month that will likely decide whether Vanderbilt can extend its season, as the Commodores sit at 3-5 and need three wins in their final four games to become bowl eligible.
Mississippi State has not been on Vanderbilts schedule since 2021, so this trip brings a fresh conference opponent into the middle of a stretch where every result matters. The exact kickoff time will only sharpen the focus once it arrives, but for Vanderbilt the broader picture is already clear: this is one of the games that could shape whether November ends with postseason hopes intact. [Read more 🡒]
Vanderbilt Basketball Suddenly Carries The Hope Football Fans Needed
As Vanderbilts football season has spiraled into a fifth straight loss, the mood around campus has shifted quickly from frustration to wondering what comes next for the program. In the meantime, the basketball side has offered a different kind of energy, with the Commodores beginning to piece together a roster that looks almost entirely rebuilt for the coming season.
Only three players are back from last years team, which means there is plenty of opportunity and plenty of uncertainty as the new group takes shape. Tyler Tanner, Chandler Bing and Jayden Leverett give Vanderbilt a small returning core, while the arrivals of Bangot Dak and Berke Buyuktuncel are part of a broader mix of transfers and freshmen that will determine how quickly the Commodores can turn that offseason optimism into something more concrete. [Read more 🡒]