Arch Manning is set to take over in a much-anticipated twist in 2025. He is gearing up for the first glaring challenge against the Ohio State Buckeyes on August 30th. But there has already been a lot of expectation swirling over the lore, allowing the youngest Manning a very slim room for error. Since he stepped up in Quinn’s absence against UL Monroe and Mississippi State, veterans and fans have placed high expectations on him to make a significant impact. But in contrast, it’s not all sweet and sugary for the Texas poster boy. Arch Manning was made aware of the harsh criticism from fans and the struggles of the tight ends on the roster. But wait, can we just eliminate the second warning from the chart? Because Steve Sarkisian’s leaving no stone unturned.

Per multiple reports, on Friday, April 18th, Texas found a solid asset on the West Coast to bolster Jeff Banks’ position group. They bagged a commitment from Cal transfer tight end Jack Endries during his latest visit to Austin. The news came off a double boost to the position shortly after the Longhorns signed Maryland defensive line transfer Lavon Johnson, who ditched UNC to join forces with the Longhorns. Sarkisian was working relentlessly to erase the biggest question mark on his championship roster. Endries certainly seemed like a promising addition.

“I was a bit concerned about the tight end position overall.. I’m on the record. I’d said, at best, it’s an uncertain, unproven position for you. At worst, it could be a bit of a crisis. I mean, you could have a dire situation, considering you had an injury to Jordan Washington. So that stunted a little bit of his development.” ON3’s Rod Babers gave a rundown of the existing tight end room in Texas, which is scarce. Gunnar Helm made some splashes in 2024, mounting catches for 60 for 786 yards and seven touchdowns. But he is off to the pros.

Freshmen like Amari Winston and Nick Townsend can really step up and play some good football in their own right. But they don’t look like a sure shot, either. Baber highlighted the lukewarm dynamic of Spencer Shannon, which doesn’t speak for much. “Not saying that’s a bad thing, but I don’t know if it’s a good thing either,” the ON3 analyst said, keeping the uncertainty factor on loop.

But now, they have some room to breathe. Endries, the new linchpin of the TE room, came fresh off some pretty jacked-up numbers. He spent the first two seasons of his college football career at Cal. In 2023, Endries had 35 receptions for 408 yards and two touchdowns. The 240 lb. product was pivotal in the 2024 campaign, capping off the season with 56 catches for 623 yards and two touchdowns.

Could Arch Manning benefit from another high-quality weapon for a smooth offensive attack? Well, why not? But Rod Babers had some small suggestions for the new Cal transfer before he understood and grappled with the assignment at Austin. “Hey, you want to catch passes from a Manning? Go look at the last two tight ends who are both about to be drafted into the NFL, and go look at their productivity on the 40 Acres compared to what you’ve done there at Cal with an offense that is a limited offense,” Babers later cross-checked his leading role in Cal and the mind-boggling stat and seems convinced. “All right, but he was highly productive in that offense, and so I think he’s going to be a player that could potentially break out here for the Longhorns.”

Does the strength of the position actually make Manning’s job any easier? Well, maybe, to some extent. But Manning’s Texas threat persists beyond the TE room.

Arch Manning still can’t be at ease about a safe landing at the Texas starting gig

Arch Manning has patiently waited for his turn in the background and never complained about his fate. Rather, he sees it as a growing opportunity at its best. Undoubtedly, the journey was challenging, but Arch has always been a fan of burnt orange and white, even before he became an athlete. So, he easily managed to cope with the frustration of playing for his childhood dream school. However, fans are too calculative to have some mercy on you if you carry a blueblood last name.

Steve Sarkisian didn’t mince his words while addressing the same. “He gets hit in the back and things like that. Like he’s learning. And yeah, there’s probably going to be some grace needed. Unfortunately, it’s probably not going to be granted outside of our building.” Sarkisian assured the new QB of his endorsement from the team. “Inside our building, I think the support that he’s going to get is going to be one that he’ll definitely appreciate.”

Well, another minor concern area for Arch is the blitz pickups. Remember the ULM game where he dropped two interceptions and came out with just a 51.7% completion rate? But this is not the end of the world. He can work on it easily and overcome the loopholes, if any. However, the overwhelming fans’ expectation looks like a real threat.