Arch Manning's Texas rivals smell blood in the water and give him a smaller margin for success

Arch Manning will replace Quinn Ewers as the Texas Longhorns' new starting quarterback in the fall of 2025 -- but the strength of Texas' roster next season remains a subject of debate amid the Longhorns' heartbreaking College Football Playoff elimination earlier this month.

Texas came up short in a semifinal loss to the Ohio State Buckeyes, extending its national championship drought to 19 years after the 28-14 defeat in the Cotton Bowl. Head coach Steve Sarkisian hoped Ewers would lead the Longhorns back to the promised land, but Manning has now been tasked with guiding Texas to the ultimate glory in one of the most high-pressure environments in all of NCAA football.

Manning loses a -catching tight end

Texas had already braced for numerous personnel departures through the transfer portal and the 2025 NFL Draft, but the Longhorns lost another player on Monday with the confirmation that tight end Amari Niblack is heading from Austin to College Station to Texas A&M -- Texas' fierce in-state rivals.

Granted, Niblack was not a major contributor to the Longhorns' offense in 2024; the former four-star recruit caught just five es for 33 yards this season, but had he stayed in Austin, the one-time Alabama player might have been in line for a bigger role with Manning as his QB. That's because Texas' TE1, Gunnar Helm, is heading to the NFL Draft, where he is expected to be a mid- to late-round pick.

Helm s receivers Isaiah Bond and Matthew Golden in the 2025 draft pool, while Manning is also losing four offensive linemen from 2024 -- not to mention running back Jaydon Blue. Fortunately for Manning, Texas' latest recruiting class has been rated #1 in the nation, so most expect the Longhorns' success to continue despite the many roster changes...though it will not be easy for Manning when he takes the field in September.