Prior to the 2025 season, Steve Sarkisian clarifies something regarding Arch Manning’s Longhorns.

Prior to the 2025 Season, Steve Sarkisian Clarifies Something Regarding Arch Manning’s Longhorns

As the Texas Longhorns continue to build towards a new era of college football, one name that consistently generates buzz is that of Arch Manning—the highly-touted, five-star freshman quarterback who committed to the program in 2023. Hailing from one of the most storied football families in history, Arch’s arrival at Texas has generated tremendous excitement, and with the 2025 season fast approaching, questions about his role with the Longhorns are now at the forefront of conversations among fans, analysts, and even coaches.

As with any highly-rated recruit, especially one with Manning’s pedigree, expectations are high. Arch’s famous last name has brought additional scrutiny, and people are eager to see how the next generation of the Manning family will perform at the collegiate level. Heading into 2025, many wonder whether Steve Sarkisian, Texas’ head coach, plans to place Arch under center immediately or ease him into the program more gradually. Given the immense pressure and the historical significance surrounding Manning, it’s no surprise that Sarkisian would feel compelled to clarify what the future holds for Arch as the Longhorns look ahead to their 2025 season.

Recently, in an in-depth interview with the media, Sarkisian offered insight into his plans for Arch Manning, addressing a number of key questions about his development, role within the offense, and the expectations surrounding the young quarterback. In this article, we’ll break down everything that was clarified about Arch Manning’s future with the Longhorns, including what Sarkisian had to say, the team’s strategy, and how the Longhorns are preparing for the 2025 season with Manning as a crucial part of the equation.

Arch Manning’s Impact on the Texas Longhorns Program

Before diving into what Steve Sarkisian had to clarify regarding Arch Manning’s role, it’s important to first understand the significance of Arch’s commitment to Texas. Coming from a family with an unparalleled football legacy—his father, Cooper Manning, and his uncles, Peyton and Eli Manning, are all former NFL quarterbacks—Arch was destined for the spotlight. The expectation surrounding him is immense, and for Texas, securing Manning’s commitment was a major coup.

For the Longhorns, Arch’s addition represents more than just a talented quarterback. It’s a symbol of their desire to return to prominence as a national football powerhouse. Texas is looking to capitalize on the excitement that surrounds Arch Manning, bringing not only top-tier football talent but also national media attention to the program.

Manning’s decision to commit to the Longhorns in 2023 was seen as a huge win for coach Steve Sarkisian, who has been working diligently to bring Texas back into the conversation as one of the elite programs in college football. Sarkisian, who has experience coaching quarterbacks like Tua Tagovailoa at Alabama and Caleb Williams at USC, is known for his ability to develop quarterbacks. The addition of Manning adds another layer of excitement and pressure as Sarkisian aims to maximize the quarterback’s potential.

Sarkisian Addresses Manning’s Role Ahead of the 2025 Season

As the 2025 season approaches, one of the most pressing questions surrounding Texas football is how soon Arch Manning will take the reins as the starting quarterback. After spending his true freshman season in 2024 learning the ropes, will Manning be ready to take the field immediately, or is there a chance he will sit behind the established Quinn Ewers—a returning senior quarterback with significant experience in Sarkisian’s system?

In a recent interview with the media, Steve Sarkisian made it clear that while Arch Manning is undoubtedly talented, there is no rush to throw him into the starting role right away. Sarkisian spoke at length about how he sees Manning’s development, emphasizing that the coaching staff’s primary focus is on ensuring that Manning is fully prepared to succeed, rather than rushing him into the lineup before he is ready.

Here are some key takeaways from Sarkisian’s comments:

1. Manning’s Development is the Priority

Sarkisian began by stressing that the development of his quarterbacks is the most important factor, regardless of their hype or potential. While Arch Manning certainly has the talent to make an immediate impact, Sarkisian emphasized that his long-term growth as a quarterback is the primary concern. He clarified that the coaching staff is committed to developing Arch Manning at his own pace, giving him the necessary time and tools to learn the nuances of college football.

Sarkisian stated:

“Arch is an incredibly talented young man, and we’re excited to have him in our program. But what we want to make sure is that he is fully prepared to take on the challenges that come with playing quarterback at this level. We’re not going to rush him. We’re going to make sure he has all the tools in place before he steps onto the field as the guy. This is a big responsibility, and we want to make sure he’s ready when the time comes.”

This statement signals to fans and analysts that, despite the excitement surrounding Manning’s arrival, Texas is committed to a measured approach in his development. Sarkisian’s track record of developing quarterbacks gives the Longhorns confidence that Manning will be ready when he’s called upon—but they’re not in a rush to force it.

2. Ewers’ Leadership Role in 2025

One of the significant questions surrounding Manning’s potential as a starter is how the presence of Quinn Ewers, the senior quarterback, will impact his playing time. Ewers has already established himself as a reliable signal-caller for Texas, and his experience in the system makes him an obvious candidate to lead the team into the 2025 season.

Sarkisian made it clear that Ewers will be given every opportunity to lead the team and finish his career on a strong note, stating:

“Quinn has been outstanding for us, and we are confident in his ability to lead this offense. He’s the guy right now, and we’re not in a rush to make any changes there. Arch has a lot of learning to do, and he’ll get his opportunities. But Quinn has earned the right to be our starter, and we’ll continue to support him as he leads us in 2025.”

While this is not a definitive statement on Manning’s role, it suggests that Ewers will be the starter for Texas in 2025, at least at the beginning of the season. The coaching staff is clearly confident in Ewers’ ability to guide the team, and it will give Manning the opportunity to learn from a seasoned veteran before taking over the starting job in the future.

3. Long-Term Vision for Manning

Sarkisian’s comments also provided clarity on his long-term vision for Arch Manning. Sarkisian stressed that, while the pressure to play Manning early is significant due to his status as a five-star recruit and his connection to the Manning family, the coaching staff is more focused on ensuring that Manning has the proper foundation to succeed as a quarterback for years to come.

Sarkisian elaborated:

“Arch has a bright future ahead of him. We’re not concerned about what’s happening right now in terms of what people expect from him. What we want is for Arch to develop the right habits, learn the system, and be ready to take over when he’s ready—whether that’s in 2025, 2026, or whenever it is. His long-term success is more important than any immediate expectations.”

This statement reflects Sarkisian’s patient approach with Manning, signaling that the coaching staff is not overly concerned with rushing his development. Instead, they are focused on ensuring Manning becomes the best version of himself as a quarterback, no matter how long that may take.

4. The Importance of Competition in the Quarterback Room

Another key point Sarkisian emphasized was the importance of competition within the Texas quarterback room. He stated that having multiple talented quarterbacks, including Manning, Ewers, and other backups, will only make the team stronger. Sarkisian believes that healthy competition is essential for the growth of all players and that each quarterback will be given opportunities to showcase their skills during practice and in games.

“Competition is what drives excellence,” Sarkisian said. “We have a lot of talented quarterbacks, and we believe that will push everyone to be their best. I’m excited to see how Arch and all the quarterbacks handle that competition. It’s going to be beneficial for the entire team.”

By fostering a competitive environment, Sarkisian is ensuring that Manning, Ewers, and the other quarterbacks will continue to grow and push each other to improve, regardless of who is the starter.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Arch Manning and Texas Football

As the 2025 season draws near, Texas Longhorns fans can take comfort in knowing that Steve Sarkisian has a clear vision for Arch Manning’s development. While the excitement surrounding the freshman quarterback is palpable, Sarkisian’s patient and methodical approach to his growth will ensure that Manning is well-prepared when the time comes for him to lead the Longhorns.

Whether Manning becomes the starting quarterback in 2025 or takes a more gradual path to starting, Texas fans can expect big things from the young signal-caller in the future. Sarkisian’s ability to develop quarterbacks will undoubtedly help Manning realize his full potential, and with a solid supporting cast around him, the future of Texas football looks incredibly bright.

For now, however, Sarkisian’s message is clear: There’s no rush. The Longhorns are committed to letting Manning grow at his own pace, preparing him to take the reins when the time is right. And when that moment comes, Arch Manning will be ready to lead the Texas Longhorns into a new era of success.