With Texas football’s season opener just over a week away, it is hard to believe that this is the beginning of the end of the Arch Manning era at Texas. 

The senior is entering his fourth season with the Longhorns and second as the starter. With Heisman Trophy and College Football Playoff aspirations, it will likely be his final season in Austin. 

While Manning’s first season as the starter was not perfect, he began to find his stride and develop more consistency towards the back end of the season. After several seasons developing in the program, Manning knows the offense like the back of his hand. He underwent a minor foot surgery in the offseason that kept him out of spring practice, but he returned to fall camp fully healthy. 

With a year of starting experience, an arsenal of offensive weapons and strong leadership qualities, Manning is expected to take significant strides this season.

“He’s had a great camp, man,” head coach Steve Sarkisian said. “I’m really pumped about it, I think his rapport with Ryan and Cam and Emmett is really high. I think his rapport with our running backs is really high. I’m very excited … I think he’s going to play really well.” 

While Manning is the unquestioned starter and centerpiece of the team, Sarkisian is preparing the quarterback room for both the near and distant future, in case Manning sustains an injury during the season.

Sophomore Karle “KJ” Lacey Jr. is the clear backup to Manning. Lacey Jr. was the third-string quarterback last season behind former Longhorn Matthew Caldwell and saw game action against Sam Houston State. A four-star recruit out of high school, Lacey Jr. was ranked the No. 18
quarterback recruit in his class by On3. He will provide necessary depth while continuing to learn under Manning while competing for reps. 

Sarkisian noted Lacey Jr. ‘s intensity and work ethic during scrimmages. 

“I think for KJ, he continues to show us his gamer mentality,” Sarkisian said in a media availability. “When we go to play football that guy is at his best, I’d much rather have that progression where they get better as practice goes. … I always feel like KJ is at his best when we scrimmage.” 

The third-string this season is true freshman Dia Bell, a highly touted five-star recruit out of Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Bell was ranked the No. 5 quarterback in the class of 2026 by 247Sports. Bell was an early enrollee in the spring and is expected to spend the season learning Sarkisian’s offense and developing to potentially compete for the starting job in the future. 

Bell had an excellent fall camp and is developing well according to Sarkisian, who was impressed with Bell’s intrinsic ball skills and leadership qualities despite being a freshman. 

“I will say Dia is as far along or maybe even further along than anybody we’ve had in that role,” Sarkisian said in an Aug. 17 media availability. “That’s a credit to him. This guy has got an innate feel for the game, he is a natural passer, he’s got great leadership qualities and he’s instinctual.” 

Rounding out the room is fifth- year transfer MJ Morris, who arrived from Coastal Carolina. Morris is undoubtedly the most experienced back up, with previous stops at Maryland and NC State. His starting experience at the Power Four level could prove valuable if he is called upon, while also giving the younger quarterbacks an experienced player to learn from.

Texas football kicks off its season against Texas State Sept. 5.