Texas kicks off a brand new era with Arch Manning at the helm, just the way they have always wanted, ever since the blueblood kid deputized Quinn Ewers in the QB room. Manning got stuck on the bench way longer than he should. All the spotlight was on Ewers as long as he was healthy, making big plays and garnering unbridled support from the head coach, Steve Sarkisian, through every missed opportunity. Then came a decisive twist in the Longhorns’ QB history. Ewers fell behind the capable line, receiving an oblique injury in week 4, and made room for Arch Manning to come forward.

Now, as he is gearing up to officially and permanently fill in Ewers’ shoes, what’s really stopping us from being fully poised in his growth? Let’s hear from Greg McElroy.

Arch Manning’s Texas future dragged down in severe jeopardy

Ewers’s injury has been a turning point in Manning’s career as he came, laced up his shoes to momentarily replace the QB1, and left the starting spot with fans craving more. Everyone understood the math: Manning is the future of the Horns. It was inevitable that Manning would eventually assume leadership. Now, when we finally head to that time after Ewers has left for the draft, several doubts have loomed over the poster boy’s future at Austin. One of the prime questions revolves around his protection. If the offensive line can do its job, Manning can hold up the program to their highest potential, no doubt about that. However, his unique playing style can be a challenge to coach Sark’s offensive strategy and lead to a certain disaster if it’s not adjusted accordingly.

The Texas O-line will be one of the craziest revamps that college football has ever seen in the upcoming season. Even apart from Manning, the biggest head-turning factor is that they also need to replace the wide receiver room big time to get rid of the persistent turnover issues. But the major stress factor remains Arch Manning’s different. “I do think the offense has the chance to be a little bit different,” McElroy said on his Always College Football podcast on February 13. “Part of what makes it a little bit different is that the quarterback mobility element will adjust ever so slightly.”

McElroy pointed out how Sarkisian is well equipped with a drop-back passing attack that is not his new QB phenom genre. “I don’t know if he’s ever utilized, as a core principle of his offense, the quarterback run—the designed quarterback run,” McElroy said. “He has it. He can do it. It’s just not something he’s always leaned super heavily into.” Given Sarkisian’s storied record book as a stupendous play-caller and offensive designer, it’s unlikely he will move past Manning’s distinct feature, but again, it’s a matter of choice if he wants to experiment with the new approach or not.

“How much is he [Sarkisian] willing to expose Arch Manning to quarterback-designed runs?” McElroy asked. “It’s impossible for the defense to defend, but do you really want to take the ball and expose your quarterback to possible injury risk? That’s going to be interesting.” Sarkisian must go to a full extent to utilize the full potential of Arch, but at the same time, he should also think about the injuries.

You think about the QB runs, and immediately, Jalen Milroe’s name comes to mind. Alabama utilized Milroe’s legs to the fullest. The designed runs can catch a defense napping, especially when they come off an RPO. However, Quinn Ewers wasn’t really known for his two-way ability. He could throw it like the best, but a run game? Well, he left a lot to be desired. To the extent that Steve Sarkisian often had Arch Manning do that in a Quinn-led offense.

Yes, it’s a tricky ball game, but come on, since when does hosting a prolific QB in his rank start looking like a cakewalk? Well, amidst all the ifs and buts, Sarkisian never forgets to play it safe.

Steve Sarkisian continues to fill up his QB room 

Texas has made a massive move to bolster its quarterback depth for the farthest future. The Longhorns gained a commitment from preferred walk-on Luke Dunham, an Austin native with high-flying features to flaunt, including a dual-threat ability. Dunham, a 6’3″ lefty, ran a 4.60-second 40-yard dash in high school and joined the ranks of features Trey Owens and KJ Lacey.

Well, of course, it’s never an immediate headache for Manning, who has waited more than two years for his turn. He exclusively holds the key to the starting spot heading to 2025. But in a bird’s-eye view, Dunham and the rest of the newcomer kids will be hungry to soak up as much as possible before Manning gets ready for the 2026 draft.

Manning has a big challenge to open the season against the national championship-winning team, Ohio State. The schedule will continue to get tougher with the games against Florida and Georgia down the road. It’s fifty-fifty for Manning. Either he can go full swing and prove that all the hype was real, or he can let the illusion of an extraordinary Arch Manning era go in the early shots.