

The Texas Longhorns gear up for one of the most anticipated seasons in recent memory with the highly-rated Arch Manning at the helm, and a picture is already emerging of how the offense will evolve under the leadership of the highly touted sophomore.
With Quinn Ewers out of the picture after being drafted by the Miami Dolphins, the Longhorns must make adjustments to Manning’s talents ahead of the 2025/26 NCAA season.
And Steve Sarkisian has acknowledged what he termed the “elephant in the room”, keen to cover the topic, by signaling a notable departure from the playstyle previously tailored for Ewers.
“I think so,” Sarkisian said to the On Second Thought podcast. “Any coach that tries to be a good coach, you try to play to the strengths of your players and play to the strengths of your team, right?
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“What we’ve seen from Arch… he’s a very good deep ball passer. He’s probably… He’s got some size and athleticism to him that offer us some different things.”
Sarkisian also emphasized the 21-year-old’s development during practice sessions, suggesting that Manning’s mental and physical preparation has been instrumental in shaping the upcoming offensive blueprint.
So how will the offense change once Manning gets to call the plays at the Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium?
How will the Longhorns offense change with Manning?
Under Ewers, Texas operated with a strong reliance on run-pass option (RPO) concepts, capitalizing on the quarterback’s quick release and precision in the short-to-intermediate passing game.
Sarkisian praised Ewers as a “fantastic RPO quarterback” whose skill set dictated much of the offensive philosophy during his tenure. Manning, on the other hand, brings a different dynamic.
While his collegiate experience remains limited, his flashes of potential have been enough to inspire a system shift. In those appearances, he completed nearly 68% of his passes for 939 yards, throwing nine touchdowns against only two interceptions.
That athletic profile could mean more vertical passing, rollouts, and designed quarterback movement. Unlike Ewers, whose game relied heavily on timing and rhythm, Manning’s mobility opens possibilities for a more dynamic and less predictable attack.
All eyes now turn to August 30, when Texas opens their campaign with a road clash against the Ohio State Buckeyes, the winners of the 2024/25 National Championship Game over the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
The matchup will be both a proving ground and a spotlight moment for Manning, whose performance will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike, especially the New Orleans Saints after Derek Carr’s shock retirement.
Thanks to the Manning’s historic connection to New Orleans through Arch’s grandfather, Archie, the Caesars Superdome could be an attractive prospect for the youngster when he enters the 2026 NFL Draft pool.
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