Steve Sarkisian gives hard-hitting response backing Arch Manning on key NIL issue amid the $40 million splurge in Texas

Arch Manning - English NCAA NCAAF - English Sports Steve Sarkisian - English Texas Longhorns - English

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Since the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) era kicked off in 2021, college football has ruled the rankings, with stars like Bryce Young, Shedeur Sanders, Travis Hunter, and now Arch Manning topping the NCAA with a valuation of $6.8 million. It’s a bit of a shock to see Manning at the top, given he only started two games last season, but this year marks his first full run as the Longhorns’ QB1 with sky-high expectations-think first National Championship for Texas since 2005.

Last season, he played in 10 games, starting just two, where he flashed potential with 939 yards and 9 touchdowns on a 67.8% completion rate, plus 108 rushing yards and 4 scores, leading Texas to a combined 86-16 win in those two starts. If Manning meets the hype and keeps the Longhorns among the nation’s elite-as they’ve been the past couple of years-his NIL value could soar even higher. A Heisman win would be a game-changer, making him the third Texas player to claim it after legends Earl Campbell (1977) and Ricky Williams (1998).

Sarkisian Stands Firm on NIL Culture Amid $40 Million Investment

Coach Steve Sarkisian didn’t mince words when addressing a key NIL issue on “The Herd with Colin Cowherd.” Texas is pumping serious cash into its program, leading the nation in NIL collective spending this year per NCAA estimates, with an additional $20.5 million flowing to players via the House settlement’s revenue-share model. That pushes the Longhorns’ roster value to a reported $40 million, giving them the muscle to match most NIL demands.

But Sarkisian’s cautious about disrupting team culture. “When you bring in someone from outside who’s suddenly out-earning everyone, that’s where trouble starts,” he said, pointing to a recent case where they passed on a player whose price tag didn’t sit right compared to others on the roster. “We love our culture and have poured everything into building it at Texas.”

For Sarkisian, it’s all about production-players get paid based on performance, and the locker room respects that approach. The Longhorns’ back-to-back College Football Playoff runs prove it’s working. Despite not reaching a National Championship game, Texas’s recent success is also reflected in the NFL, as the team had a program-record 12 players drafted this year.

Texas Boosts Roster with Big Spending and Top Talent

Kirk Bohls from The Houston Chronicle reports Texas is shelling out $35 million to $40 million for the 2025 roster, blending revenue-sharing ($20.5 million), the Texas One Fund, and other payouts. Arch Manning tops the list as the highest-paid player “by far,” though he hasn’t taken a dime from the school-his family and big-name NIL deals, like recent brand partnerships, handle that.

Since Sarkisian took over, Texas has recruited at an elite level, landing the nation’s No. 1 class in 2025 with five five-stars and 13 four-stars, boasting a 72% blue-chip ratio and an average NIL valuation of $248,000-outpacing Michigan’s $235,000. Last season’s 11 regular-season wins secured an SEC Championship game spot and a College Football Playoff berth, raising the stakes. Texas will open the season on the road at defending national champion Ohio State on Aug. 30 at noon ET.

This news was originally published on this post .

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