Manning enters Year 2 as Texas starter with Tennessee showdown on horizon

Arch Manning represented Texas at SEC media days in Tampa on Thursday, opening his fourth year with the Longhorns — and his second as the starting quarterback — with a measured acknowledgment of last season's struggles and a stated readiness to move forward. The redshirt junior, who stands 6-foot-4 and 222 pounds, is the son of Cooper Manning, the grandson of Archie Manning, and the nephew of Eli Manning and former Tennessee quarterback Peyton Manning.

Manning's 2025 debut at the helm was uneven. He posted a 56.3 completion percentage on short passes between zero and ten yards, a number he acknowledged openly at media days. 'Not very good,' he said of that figure. He steadied in the season's final six games, throwing 14 touchdown passes against only two interceptions, before undergoing foot surgery in the winter. After being cleared in the spring, he resumed work with running backs and receivers and focused on tightening his short-yardage accuracy.

I was mad at myself. I'm like, why am I not playing well? It's not supposed to be like this. I'm letting myself down. I'm letting the team down, the fans. And it was definitely challenging, but I think there's nothing you can do besides keep trying to get better and work hard and get through it. And I knew I was going to get through it. It just took some time.

— Arch Manning, Texas quarterback

Head coach Steve Sarkisian offered a direct assessment of what his quarterback endured. 'What he got through probably would have melted or destroyed 99 percent of the people in his shoes,' Sarkisian said. 'Right now he's a very dangerous player because he learned a lot from last season, and he is surrounded by some good players. I think that he's a guy that's poised for a heck of a season.' Sarkisian, entering his sixth year at Texas, also addressed the broader program outlook, saying the team's internal expectations exceed outside perceptions.

First Trip to Neyland

One of the season's most anticipated matchups arrives Sept. 26, when Texas travels to Knoxville for a noon EDT kickoff against Tennessee — the first time the Longhorns will have played at Neyland Stadium. Manning, whose uncle Peyton Manning starred there, said he has never visited the venue. 'I've never been, so I'm excited to go for the first time,' Manning said. 'We're all pumped up, first SEC game. That's a great program. I spent some time with George MacIntyre this offseason. He's a really good dude. We're all excited.' Texas holds a 2-1 advantage in the all-time series with the Volunteers.

ESPN Analytics' Matchup Predictor gives Texas a 75.5 percent chance to win that game. The Longhorns open the season Sept. 5 against Texas State, while Tennessee begins fall camp Aug. 5 ahead of a season opener versus Furman at Neyland. Texas finished 10-3 in 2025, missing the College Football Playoff after entering the year as a preseason favorite.