Texas quarterback Arch Manning shared that head coach Steve Sarkisian relied on feedback from players when shaping his first impressions. Manning said Sarkisian turned to running back Jonathon Brooks, offensive tackle Kelvin Banks, and wide receiver Jordan Whittington.
Manning, regarded as the next face of the program, enters 2025 as the Longhorns’ starting quarterback. The grandson and nephew of NFL legends, he carries expectations as Texas’ centerpiece.
How Steve Sarkisian Formed His Early View of Arch Manning Through Player Input
Manning explained that Sarkisian did not rely solely on film when shaping his first impressions. Instead, Sarkisian leaned on the feedback of players Manning looked up to when he first arrived.
“When I first got here, I feel like the guys that had the most respect were the guys that really worked hard and took it seriously. So, I followed their lead, whether it was Jay Whitt, Jonathon Brooks, Kelvin Banks, especially guys like that I wanted to be like and, uh, look what they’re at now,” Manning said.
He added that Sarkisian specifically turned to those players to help gauge who Manning was both as a quarterback and as a teammate.
Manning enters his third year in Austin, carrying the weight of a historic family name and the expectation of leading the Longhorns into a new era. Throughout training camp, he has been clear about his approach, stressing the importance of competition and growth in practice.
“The worst days are when kind of the defense wins the day, and we have a break, like the next day is an off day. I kind of want to get back out there and light them up,” Manning said.
Manning has also focused on lessons passed down by both coaches and former quarterback Quinn Ewers.
“I think continuing to make practice like a game and play the situations and get as many game reps in practice as possible, whether it’s not taking a sack or throwing the ball away, stuff like that, that I got to continue to do,” he said.
About Ewers, Manning added, “He had a bunch of tip picks that weren’t really his fault, and he rebounded like a pro. So, I’ve definitely learned a lot from him there.”
Respect remains central to how Manning wants to be seen in the locker room, echoing what Sarkisian often highlights.
“I dreamed of being in this position, so I’m not going to take it for granted,” he said. “It’s really about the team, 11 guys on the field.”
Everyone is monitoring his progress, and though it is uncertain if he will declare for the 2026 draft, evaluations are already underway.
