The 2024 season ended in disappointing fashion for the Texas Longhorns, likewise to their 2023 campaign. Ahead of a new NCAA season, head coach Steve Sarkisian delivered a strong message about the roster led by redshirt sophomore Arch Manning.
Manning is the Longhorns’ new leader under center, and fans in Austin have been eagerly waiting for the star 19-year-old to officially become the school’s starting quarterback as they hunt for their first National Championship since the BCS era, when Vince Young put on a performance for the ages during the 2006 Rose Bowl.
Sarkisian and the Longhorns hope the nephew of Peyton and Eli Manning is the chosen one, and the quarterback that can finally end the drought in The Forty Acres. Manning was not called upon during last season’s semifinal loss, and elimination of the College Football Playoffs, against the Ohio State Buckeyes.
As the NFL Draft approaches, the Longhorns will see many of their stars officially put an end to their college football career. The absences cast doubts on Texas’ performance for the upcoming campaign, as they will feature a different roster. However, Sarkisian isn’t too worried about it.
Arch Manning #16 of the Texas Longhorns arrives prior to the Playoff First Round Game against the Clemson Tigers at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on December 21, 2024 in Austin, Texas.
“It’s easy to look at numbers and say we’ve got a ton to replace,” Sarkisian said during media availability, via Inside Texas. “We do. But we’ve also got some guys and some key ingredients that played some critical roles for us last season that I think will be impactful for us this fall.”
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Sarkisian makes stern admission
The 2024 season ended in a sour note for the Longhorns, with many fingers pointing at Sarkisian‘s playcalling in the most crucial drive of the loss to Ohio State. Texas stalled at the goalline in the fourth quarter, a common sight throughout the campaign for the team.
Head coach Steve Sarkisian of the Texas Longhorns arrives prior to the Valero Alamo Bowl game against the Washington Huskies at Alamodome on December 29, 2022 in San Antonio, Texas.
“We’ve just got to execute, man,” Sarkisian admitted on Monday. “That was a frustrating deal for us. That’s coaching. You feel like you practice something seven times, maybe you need to practice it eight. That’s our job as coaches to get that done.”
