Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian isn’t messing around: he flat out said Thursday he wouldn’t rule out pulling Arch Manning from his starting spot this Saturday against Ole Miss. Yeah, you read that right. Sarkisian had been hoping to send Manning to New York for the Heisman Trophy ceremony back in December, but now, before the end of October, he might be sending his starting QB to the bench. This isn’t a new stance either; the coach has been saying all players, including Manning, would have their roles evaluated after that tough 27-24 loss to Florida. “Every game is different, ya know?” Sarkisian said, talking about a potential quarterback change. “I think Arch has had a good week of work, he’s prepared himself well, but like the team, he needs to play well. And we’ll go from there.”
Manning’s Hot Seat Is Scorching
So, what’s got Sarkisian putting the heat on his highly touted signal-caller? Manning’s starting job is in serious question after a brutal first three weeks of SEC action. We’re talking four turnovers and just four touchdown passes in games against Tennessee, Oklahoma, and Florida. And it’s not just the numbers: those three contests featured critical, game-changing turnovers from Manning in the final minutes of the fourth quarter. Oof. Sarkisian hasn’t shied away from criticizing his QB this week, and to his credit, Manning isn’t ducking the self-reflection either. “I fully expect myself to play better. I haven’t put good film on tape the past five weeks,” Manning admitted Monday. “I’m going to be better. I’m going to be better for teammates, be better for myself, be better for my coaches. This team is built for adversity. I’m built for adversity, and we’re going to respond. I know that.” That’s the right attitude, but now it’s about seeing it on the field.
The Sophomore Waiting in the Wings
When Manning arrived at Texas, he was one of the highest-rated high school recruits ever, a generational talent. His potential replacement, sophomore KJ Lacey, didn’t come with quite the same hype, but don’t sleep on him. Lacey committed to Texas as a four-star recruit in 2023, arriving on campus in January 2025. This kid threw for the second-most yards in Alabama high school history and snagged Alabama’s “Mr. Football” award in 2024. He’s a 6-foot, 188-pound right-hander with limited college reps: just nine career passes in three games over the past two seasons. He completed six of seven for 55 yards in the second half of Texas’ Week 1 win against Texas State and had one completion in a Week 3 win over UTSA. Sarkisian sounds genuinely impressed with Lacey, too. “KJ is a good player. I mean, he’s dynamic with the ball in his hands. He’s a natural passer,” Sarkisian said Thursday. “There’s always things, nuances when you lack experience in practice, and we put him in some difficult situations. There’s some growing pains that come with that, but he’s coachable. He brings a good attitude every day. I think he’s got good rapport with his teammates.”
So, Manning will get the start on Saturday, per Sarkisian. If he plays well in the first half, his job should be safe, at least for now. But those continued struggles? That could send Arch Manning right to the sideline. This Saturday’s game against Ole Miss isn’t just another game; it’s a make-or-break moment for Manning, and every snap will be under the microscope.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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