Arch Manning Locked In as Texas QB1, but Depth Chart Raises Concerns Ahead of 2025 Season
Live from Austin, Texas—Steve Sarkisian enters the 2025 college football season with arguably the most certain QB1 in the nation: Arch Manning, the former No. 1 overall recruit. However, questions loom large over the quarterback depth behind Manning, as the Longhorns aim for a College Football Playoff run.
According to Josh Newman of Lone Star Live, Sarkisian faces a significant challenge in addressing this issue. The transfer portal, typically a solution for roster gaps, might not be the answer this time around.
“Sarkisian would not be looking for a starter, but rather depth,” Newman explained. “Quarterbacks in the transfer portal are looking for playing time. They want to start, not be backups.”
With Manning’s starting role secured, convincing a talented transfer QB to join the Longhorns as a backup seems unlikely. Newman emphasized this challenge, noting, “It would be a good idea for Sarkisian to at least kick the tires on some transfer portal options and see what comes back, but the problem with that is obvious.”
The Depth Dilemma
Behind Manning, the Longhorns have Trey Owens, a true freshman, and KJ Lacey, a redshirt freshman with limited experience. Newman pointed out the stark contrast to previous years when Quinn Ewers provided a reliable starting option under center.
“Objectively, the room is light,” Newman wrote. “If Manning were to miss time, especially early in the season, the options would be a true freshman with no experience or a redshirt freshman with very limited experience.”
Ewers’ decision to declare for the NFL Draft addressed one potential dilemma—avoiding a scenario where he’d return to Austin in 2025 and complicate the QB situation. However, his departure now leaves a glaring gap in depth that Sarkisian must address.
Can Sarkisian Find a Solution?
With the season fast approaching, Sarkisian’s ability to shore up the quarterback room remains a critical task. The Longhorns boast a roster built to contend for a CFP title, but a lack of depth at such a pivotal position could derail their ambitions.
As Newman concluded, “Sarkisian has recruited well, but whether it’s enough to handle an injury to Manning remains to be seen.”
For now, all eyes are on Austin, where Arch Manning leads a talented team—but the question of who’s ready to step up behind him lingers like a shadow over the Longhorns’ championship hopes.
