Texas Longhorns QB Arch Manning, a 5-star recruit from the 2023 class and part of the famed Manning football lineage, has been a backup for two seasons behind Quinn Ewers. Now, with Ewers moving on, 2025 marks Manning’s chance to lead Texas as the full-time starter.
Expectations are sky-high for Manning, but one must agree that talent alone won’t guarantee success. So, how do the Longhorns establish a consistent and effective running game to complement Manning’s passing prowess?
The Importance of Balance for Arch Manning’s Success
A dependable running game is the backbone of any successful offense, especially for a first-year starter like Manning. Facing the SEC’s brutal defenses, a balanced attack is required to keep opponents guessing, and in a way, eases the burden on the quarterback.
Steve Sarkisian, a proven offensive mind from his days at Alabama and Southern Cal, knows a strong ground game sets the table for everything else.
NEW — Can Texas beat elite defenses in 2025?
Our @Ian_A_Boyd dives into how teams will try to slow Arch Manning and the Horns offense this season, and what Sark might try. https://t.co/VE185yO5wm (On3+) pic.twitter.com/oYMzMkD3Vi
— Inside Texas (@InsideTexas) May 26, 2025
In 2024, Sarkisian told reporters at SEC Media Days, “Well, I think without telling Coach Norvell at Colorado State what we’re going to do in week one… Part of that is trying to play your best players. Part of that is how do we tax the defense. So we do have a very versatile offensive team. The fact that we’ve got very versatile runners, we’ve got versatile tight ends…”
This philosophy is a blueprint for protecting Manning from being one-dimensional.
A solid run game forces defenses to respect the threat of the handoff, preventing them from teeing off on the pass rush in obvious throwing situations. For a young quarterback, this balance means shorter third downs and fewer high-pressure moments.
Manning’s arm talent and decision-making will shine brightest when the offense isn’t solely on his shoulders. SEC teams like Georgia and Alabama could relentlessly stack the box without a reliable run game, daring him to beat them through the air. Solving this piece of the puzzle is non-negotiable for Texas in 2025.
Assessing Texas’s Running Game: Strengths and Areas for Improvement
A look at the 2024 season offers clues to gauge what Texas needs to fix. According to official team stats, the Longhorns averaged 4.3 yards per carry and finished mid-tier in the SEC with 158.8 rushing yards per game. While not abysmal, those numbers won’t cut it against elite competition or support a quarterback stepping into the spotlight. The goal is consistency, not just flashes of brilliance.
The offensive line’s performance in 2024 was mixed. Young and talented, the unit struggled to open holes consistently, often leaving running backs to fend for themselves. Heading into 2025, Texas faces a rebuild up front, with four new starters projected to take the field. This inexperience could be a hurdle early on, especially against seasoned SEC defensive fronts.
On the flip side, the running back room brings hope. CJ Baxter Jr., a standout before a 2024 knee injury sidelined him, is expected to return healthy. His 2023 freshman stats, 659 yards and five touchdowns on 138 times rushed, hint at his potential as a workhorse.
Depth is not an issue either, with Jaydon Blue and incoming recruits adding versatility. Sarkisian’s zone-blocking scheme, which thrives on athletic linemen and quick cuts, fits this group, but execution remains the key.
Developing The Offensive Line to Support Manning And The Run
No running game thrives without a stout offensive line, and Texas’s success in 2025 rests heavily on this unit’s growth. Losing key starters from 2024 means relying on a largely untested group, a risky proposition in the SEC.
Spring reports suggest progress under offensive line coach Kyle Flood, a respected developer of NFL talent, but the real proof comes in September.
Left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. stands out as a cornerstone. A former five-star recruit, Banks has the size and agility to anchor the line and shield Manning’s blind side. His development into an All-SEC caliber player could stabilize the group.
Beyond individual skill, the line must master communication to handle the twists and stunts of conference defenses. Early tests against Ohio State and Georgia will expose any weaknesses fast.
A cohesive offensive line doesn’t just pave the way for runners; it buys Manning time to scan the field. If this unit falters, the ripple effect could stall the entire offense, leaving Manning under siege and the running backs bottled up.
With Wingo, Lockett, and Moore as likely targets, Manning gains options to exploit defenses softened by the run. His skill set, pinpoint accuracy, pocket poise, and sneaky mobility perfectly match Sarkisian’s adaptable system.
Limited action in 2024 showed his promise: across two starts against UTSA and Louisiana Monroe, he completed 67.8% of his passes for 939 yards, nine touchdowns, and two interceptions.
Those numbers came against lesser teams, though, and the SEC will demand more.
A robust running game sets up play-action, where Manning can use fakes to freeze linebackers and hit receivers downfield.
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Sarkisian’s playbook leans on this concept, and a credible run threat makes it lethal. Run-pass options (RPOs) could also play a big role, letting Manning exploit defensive alignments with quick reads. This flexibility keeps opponents off balance and plays to his strengths as a cerebral quarterback.
The goal isn’t just to run effectively but to weave it into a cohesive attack. If the ground game clicks, it amplifies Manning’s ability to stretch defenses vertically, turning Texas into a nightmare to defend.
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