Steve Sarkisian’s start to Arch Manning’s Texas career is startling.

When Arch Manning, one of the most highly anticipated quarterback prospects in college football history, committed to the University of Texas, it sent shockwaves through the football world. With a pedigree that includes legendary family ties to both Peyton and Eli Manning, Arch’s arrival in Austin was seen as the dawn of a new era for the Texas Longhorns football program. Fans, analysts, and coaches alike anticipated a smooth transition as he arrived to join Steve Sarkisian’s team—a head coach with a reputation for developing quarterbacks.

However, as Arch Manning embarks on his career at Texas under Sarkisian, things have not gone according to the ideal script many envisioned. While it’s still early in Manning’s career, the reality of his transition into the college football spotlight has been startling for several reasons. This article will explore the unexpected aspects of Manning’s early days at Texas, the challenges he faces, the larger implications for Sarkisian’s tenure, and what it all means for the Longhorns’ football future.

The Build-Up to Arch Manning’s Arrival

Arch Manning’s commitment to Texas in the summer of 2023 was the culmination of a recruitment process that captivated the entire college football world. As the son of Cooper Manning, the nephew of two NFL legends in Peyton and Eli, and the grandson of Archie Manning, Arch was born into a football dynasty. His commitment to Texas came after a highly publicized recruitment that included visits to Alabama, Georgia, and other national powerhouses. Many had speculated that Manning’s path might lead him to a school like Alabama or Georgia, programs with entrenched systems and recent national championships. However, he ultimately chose Texas, setting off a wave of optimism for the Longhorns.

Steve Sarkisian, known for his offensive acumen, particularly in his work with quarterbacks like Tua Tagovailoa at Alabama, saw Manning as a cornerstone for his offense moving forward. Arch’s skill set—his strong arm, ability to read defenses, and leadership qualities—fit perfectly into the mold of what Sarkisian’s system demands. The Longhorns were on the precipice of greatness with Manning at the helm, or so it seemed.

With the excitement surrounding Manning’s arrival, the Longhorns had sky-high expectations for the 2025 season. However, as fall camp and the early parts of the season unfolded, a few early signs indicated that Manning’s transition to college football may not be as seamless as many had anticipated.

The Stark Reality of Arch Manning’s Transition

1. Inconsistent Play in the Preseason and Early Games

In the summer leading up to his freshman season, Arch Manning was regarded as a future star—perhaps even the next generational talent at quarterback. But as the Texas Longhorns took the field for their preseason camps and early games in 2025, it quickly became clear that Manning’s development might take longer than initially expected.

Despite his impressive high school resume at Isidore Newman in New Orleans, where he had been one of the most polished quarterbacks in the nation, Manning struggled with consistency in his early practices. Some observers noted a lack of confidence in his throws, occasional misreads of defenses, and a slower adaptation to the speed of college football. For a player so highly touted, this was a bit surprising—Manning had played against high-level competition in high school, but the physicality, complexity of schemes, and pace of the college game are significant hurdles that even the most prepared recruits often struggle to overcome.

By all accounts, Manning showed flashes of brilliance during practices—his arm strength and poise in the pocket were still evident. However, there was an undeniable gap between what was expected and what was delivered. It became clear that Arch’s raw talent needed further development before he could consistently be the elite quarterback that fans had expected.

2. A Challenging Learning Curve in Steve Sarkisian’s System

Steve Sarkisian’s offensive scheme at Texas has been known for its complexity. Sarkisian runs a pro-style system that emphasizes reading the defense, progressions, and quick decision-making. While Manning’s football IQ is certainly impressive—after all, he’s been around football his entire life—navigating the intricacies of a new system, particularly one as nuanced as Sarkisian’s, can be a daunting task.

For many quarterbacks, especially those in their first year at the collegiate level, adapting to the mental demands of the game is often the most difficult part. The combination of having to digest new terminology, speed of play, and changing defensive looks has proven challenging for Arch Manning. Sarkisian’s system requires quarterbacks to manage high-pressure situations and make fast, accurate decisions, all while balancing multiple options in the passing game. Manning’s early struggles with consistency—particularly when reading defenses—have caused fans and analysts to question how quickly he will be able to acclimate to the system.

Sarkisian is known for being a quarterback whisperer, having molded successful quarterbacks like Tagovailoa and Jalen Hurts during his time at Alabama. However, Arch Manning’s development may require more patience than initially assumed. The question becomes: How long can Texas afford to let Manning develop while still striving for immediate success in a highly competitive conference like the Big 12?

3. Competition at Quarterback

While Arch Manning is undoubtedly a highly talented prospect, he isn’t the only quarterback on the Texas roster with aspirations of starting. Manning entered a quarterback room that includes highly rated players like Quinn Ewers, a former 5-star recruit, and Hudson Card, who has had valuable experience in college games.

Quinn Ewers was expected to be the starting quarterback for Texas in 2025, and he showed flashes of brilliance in his earlier appearances. However, his own struggles with consistency and injuries have raised the question of whether Arch Manning, despite his lack of experience, could be thrust into the starting role sooner than anticipated. Ewers had the upper hand heading into the season, but the competition in the quarterback room has made it clear that Manning might not get the immediate, guaranteed starting job that some fans expected.

Manning’s transition to college football has been further complicated by the pressure to perform and the highly competitive nature of his position. With Ewers showing inconsistent play, Sarkisian has been forced to make difficult decisions about how to balance the development of Manning with the immediate need to win games. This uncertainty has created an environment of volatility that has shaken the sense of stability around Manning’s future with the Longhorns.

Steve Sarkisian’s Coaching Under Pressure

Sarkisian’s tenure at Texas has been marked by highs and lows. He took over a program that was struggling to find its footing after years of mediocrity under Tom Herman. The hope was that Sarkisian, with his track record at Alabama and as a former offensive coordinator in the NFL, would bring a new level of success to the program. His recruitment of top-tier talent, including Arch Manning, has kept the fanbase excited and hopeful.

However, as Manning’s development stalls early on, questions are beginning to emerge about Sarkisian’s ability to develop quarterbacks at the level Texas needs to be competitive on the national stage. Sarkisian’s offensive scheme is certainly complicated, and Manning’s early struggles could be a reflection of that complexity. However, there’s a growing concern that Sarkisian’s system isn’t yielding the immediate results many expected, especially with the immense talent Texas has at its disposal.

Furthermore, the lack of stability in the quarterback room has added to the pressure on Sarkisian to make the right decision. If Ewers continues to struggle and Manning isn’t ready to take over, Sarkisian could find himself in a situation where the offense lacks a clear leader—something that could set the program back in a competitive conference like the Big 12. Texas, for all its talent, still faces stiff competition from teams like Oklahoma and Baylor, and the Longhorns’ ability to contend for conference championships hinges on finding stability at quarterback.

What This Means for Texas’ Future

While it’s still early in Manning’s career, the startling start to his tenure at Texas has far-reaching implications. There is no doubt that Arch Manning has the talent to become a star—his arm strength, intelligence, and poise under pressure have never been questioned. However, the road to becoming an elite college quarterback is rarely linear, and Manning is learning that first-hand. His early struggles have highlighted just how difficult it is to make the jump to college football, especially when a program’s expectations are as high as they are at Texas.

Sarkisian’s future at Texas is also tied to Manning’s development. If Manning succeeds, Sarkisian will be hailed as the coach who built the foundation for Texas’ resurgence. But if Manning continues to struggle, Sarkisian could face increased scrutiny and pressure to adjust his system, especially given the high stakes involved with such a highly publicized recruit.

For now, the key for Texas is patience. While the immediate future may not look as promising as once thought, the Longhorns are building something that could pay off in the long run. The development of Arch Manning—along with a renewed emphasis on developing their offensive line and playmaking weapons—will determine whether Sarkisian’s vision for Texas can come to fruition.

In conclusion, Arch Manning’s start at Texas has been more complicated than expected, but the potential for greatness remains. His early struggles serve as a reminder that even the most hyped prospects need time to adjust to the rigors of college football. Sarkisian’s ability to navigate these challenges will define not only Manning’s career but also the future of Texas football in the coming years.