The spotlight couldn’t be brighter. Arch Manning steps into his first season as Texas’s starting quarterback, carrying the weight of a famous last name and sky-high expectations from fans nationwide.
However, according to one ESPN insider, the young quarterback might actually be feeling less pressure than expected, thanks to some strategic comments from his head coach.
How Did Steve Sarkisian’s Comments Ease Pressure on Texas QB Arch Manning?
Arch Manning has barely played meaningful football during his time in Austin. The quarterback spent his first two seasons at Texas sitting behind Quinn Ewers, logging just two career starts. Despite the limited playing time, expectations are sky-high for the 2025 season as Manning enters the year as the Longhorns’ starting quarterback.
With high expectations comes pressure. Many project Manning to be a Heisman Trophy finalist and the best quarterback in the country. However, ESPN college football insider Pete Thamel believes that Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian has eased some of that pressure with comments he made at SEC Media Day.
Manning appeared at SEC media day yesterday and drew a bigger crowd than any other player or coach there. The attention reflects just how much anticipation surrounds the quarterback heading into the 2025 season.
On the “Pat McAfee Show,” Thamel revealed that Manning probably has more eyes on him than any player in the last generation.
“Arch Manning is the most anticipated player in College Football in probably the last generation..
There is a unique pressure on him to go dominate..
Steve Sarkisian said yesterday that Texas has the best defense in his tenure” ~ @PeteThamel #ProgrumSummerRoadTrip pic.twitter.com/cgdhjfW8Q0
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) July 16, 2025
“Arch Manning is the most anticipated player in College Football in probably the last generation,” Thamel said.
The nephew of NFL legends Eli and Peyton Manning was the nation’s No. 1 prospect in the 2023 recruiting class. Despite only having two career starts, the college football world has high expectations for the young quarterback, putting a lot of pressure on him to be great for the Longhorns.
What Makes Texas’s Defense Special This Season?
While Thamel acknowledged the expectations on the Texas quarterback, he also said that Sarkisian made a comment about the Longhorns’ defense that should help ease the burden on Manning for the 2025 season.
“I thought what Steve Sarkisian said yesterday that was most interesting, is that they have the best defense in his tenure here,” Thamel said. “So, Arch Manning is not going to have to go score 49 a game for Texas to win.”
Sarkisian isn’t wrong about Texas’s defense. The Longhorns boast some elite playmakers, many of whom are projected future draft picks. Players like safety Michael Taffe, linebacker Anthony Hill, and edge rusher Collin Simmons are all expected to be among the best at their positions in the country.
Thamel’s point that a strong defense will help Manning ease into his role as Texas’s starter is a good one. It should allow him to play more freely instead of being weighed down by the outside noise and unrealistic expectations from the media.
