Arch Manning must work on critical area after Quinn Ewers’ exit, Longhorns HC Steve Sarkisian admits

Arch Manning will officially take over as the Texas Longhorns‘ starting quarterback for the 2025 NCAA season, succeeding Quinn Ewers, who declared for the NFL Draft. Ahead of a pivotal campaign, head coach Steve Sarkisian pointed out one key trait Manning must continue to develop in order to lead the Longhorns to success.

It’s been a long time coming, but Manning’s era is finally starting in Austin. The redshirt sophomore quarterback will take over under center for the Longhorns in what’s shaping up to be a crucial college football season.

Texas is heading into the 2025 NCAA campaign with sky-high expectations, perhaps the highest they’ve ever been for the University of Texas in Austin. But in order for the Longhorns to have success, Manning will need to further develop an area of his game, as Sarkisian boldly admitted.

Coming out of high school, Manning has thrived under the spotlight, accustomed to the nationwide attention around him and his last name. However, there is truly no margin of error now. Ewers is no longer on campus, the responsibility for the Longhorns’ outcomes is now lying fully on Manning’s shoulders.

Quinn Ewers #3 of the Texas Longhorns warms up prior to the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl between the Texas Longhorns and Arizona State Sun Devils at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 1, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia.

The 19-year-old signal-caller is not only responsible for his perfomance, but the overall showing. On that note, there’s an area Manning must continue to develop, according to Sarkisian.

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“I think one is, and this is going to sound crazy because I think he’s a great leader, but we continue to push him from a leadership standpoint,” Sarkisian said about the areas Texas hopes to see growth from Manning, per InsideTexas. “He’s having to really lead, manage, and coach in between plays. We keep trying to push him at that level because he is a fantastic leader, and he doesn’t need to wait.”

Spring training

College football’s regular season may not kick off until late August, but building a successful program takes a year-round effort. It all begins in the winter with strength and conditioning, and continues through the spring and summer, when teams hit the lab to refine their craft.

This year marks the first time Manning has spent a full offseason in Austin without anyone ahead of him on the depth chart — and so far, so good, according to head coach Steve Sarkisian and his staff.

Arch Manning #16 of the Texas Longhorns warms up prior to a game against the Clemson Tigers in the Playoff First Round Game at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on December 21, 2024 in Austin, Texas.

“This has been a great spring for Arch because he didn’t get put out there on the field his first spring as the starting quarterback with three vets that know the offense inside and out and are fixing things on the move.”

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Not shying away

Last season, Manning’s athleticism was called upon often by Sarkisian and the Longhorns, with Arch taking over the huddle in several short-yardage situations. While that’s expected to change as Manning will take the shots on every play this season, Sark hopes his quarterback can still take advantage of his physical tools.

“Now that he’s the starter and now that he’s operating the offense, we don’t want him to leave his athleticism to the side” Sarkisian added. “We want him to use that athleticism in critical moments. Third downs, red area, things of that nature. It’s finding that right balance to do that.”

Head coach Steve Sarkisian of the Texas Longhorns looks on prior to the 2024 SEC Championship against the Georgia Bulldogs at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 07, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia.

While Arch’s physical tools aren’t a carbon copy of his uncles Eli and Peyton, the 19-year-old is set to carry on the Manning family tradition as he leads the Horns into the 2025 season.

New beginnings

It seems Sarkisian has learned his lesson from last season’s semifinal loss to the Ohio State Buckeyes, when Arch Manning was left on the sidelines during the game-deciding drive, as Texas was lined up just a few yards away from a potential game-tying touchdown.

The Longhorns are hoping for a different ending to their upcoming NCAA season, and the burnt orange faithful have pinned their hopes on Manning. It’s now up to the teenage sensation to lead Bevo and the Longhorns to a national title—their first since 2005, coincidentally the same year Manning was born.