On Monday, March 10, Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian spoke to the media for the first time since their Jan. 11 loss to the Ohio State Buckeyes in the College Football Playoff Semifinal in the Cotton Bowl.
He praised quarterback Arch Manning’s leadership and highlighted his readiness to shine as the starting quarterback for the 2025 season after two years as Quinn Ewers’ backup.
Steve Sarkisian Hails Arch Manning’s Leadership as the Longhorn’s QB1
As the Longhorns gear up for the 2025 campaign, their offense faces a major revamp after losing eight starters. However, there’s excitement as RB CJ Baxter will return after missing last season with a knee injury. DeAndre Moore and DJ Campbell stand as the only guaranteed returning starters.
With so much change and a focus on building chemistry, strong leadership from the quarterback is essential. Manning is already stepping up, and Coach Sarkisian hasn’t held back in praising his efforts to the media.
“He’s now setting up those voluntary throwing sessions with the receivers. He’s breaking the team down,” Sarkisian said. “All those natural things that a quarterback has to do to instill belief in his teammates, to instill belief in the staff, he’s doing it.”
Manning is no rookie when it comes to fame, having already made his mark in the NIL and commercial side of modern college football. Yet, according to the Longhorn’s head coach, none of this glitz and glamour has distracted his relentless work ethic or passion for the game.
“More importantly for him, which I love, is he’s having fun doing it,” Sarkisian continued. “It doesn’t feel like he’s working. He’s playing the game of football. He’s being a great teammate.”
The 19-year-old, 6’ 4”, 225 pounds, appeared in nine games with two starts—against the Mississippi State Bulldogs and Louisiana-Monroe War Hawks in 2024. He threw for 939 yards, nine touchdowns, and two interceptions.
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Manning has embraced the expectations tied to his family name. He is enjoying the process and strengthening his chemistry with his teammates. Sarkisian’s belief in Manning’s readiness for 2025—kicking off with a tough clash against the Ohio State Buckeyes in Columbus—reflects a journey built on patience and hard work, not privilege.
It’s a rare trait for players from such iconic lineages, making the star quarterback the centerpiece of Texas’ quest for a national championship, which they haven’t won since 2005.
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