Texas bet big on Arch Manning and Steve Sarkisian for next season but face early major setback as key coach leaves for NFL

With the departure of Quinn Ewers to the NFL, the Texas Longhorns are entering a new era led by Arch Manning. The highly touted quarterback, who has one of the most famous last names in football, will take over as Texas' starter in 2025. Manning got a brief taste of the action last season, filling in for Ewers and securing two wins. Now he faces the immense pressure of leading a program with championship expectations. His NIL valuation currently sits at $6.5 million, making him the most valuable college athlete, and i expect that number to rise to $8-9 million by the start of the season.

Meanwhile, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian recently signed a seven-year extension, demonstrating the program's commitment to him despite growing NFL interest. Since his arrival in 2021, Sarkisian has turned the Longhorns into a perennial contender, compiling a 38-17 record, including a dominant 25-5 mark over the past two seasons. Texas has made the College Football Playoff (CFP) in back-to-back years, the only team to do so in that span. However, both appearances ended with losses in the semifinals, raising questions about whether Sarkisian can take it to the next level. With a brutal schedule ahead and key departures shaking the program, his toughest test is just beginning.

Tough Road Ahead for Texas With Choice's Departure

That challenge just got tougher. Sarkisian has invested heavily in the transfer portal, ranking among the top programs in spending this offseason. However, while the Longhorns have focused on adding talent, they've suffered a devastating loss on the coaching staff-running backs coach Tashard Choice has left to the Detroit Lions under Dan Campbell, reuniting him with Jahmyr Gibbs, who he coached while coaching running backs at Georgia Tech from 2020-21, Choice was a key recruiter, responsible for developing stars like Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson, both of whom are now in the NFL. Losing him is a huge blow, especially since four-star running back Ezavier Crowell canceled his official visit to Texas following the news. To make matters worse, Oregon assistant Ra'Shaad Samples, a potential replacement, has yet to commit. Sarkisian must find an answer quickly, as the Longhorns' ground game has been a cornerstone of their success.

The pressure on Texas isn't just internal. Their 2025 schedule is brutal, starting with a high-stakes opener against defending national champion Ohio State in Columbus. Road games against Florida and Georgia loom large, making it one of the toughest schedules in the country. With the program being the only one to make back-to-back CFP appearances in the past two years with Quinn Ewers at the helm, expectations are sky-high now that the Manning era begins, and well for Manning and what he has shown as a backup, many believe, including myself, the Longhorns can win their first national championship since 2005. After coming up short twice, anything less than a title run will feel like a failure. Manning has all the tools, but can he live up to the hype? And with Sarkisian's staff taking a hit, will Texas be able to reload quickly enough to stay competitive at the highest level? Of course he's going to have some pressure, but he's got a couple of uncles and a grandfather who can give him a word or two of advice.

Texas in the NIL Transfer Portal Era

Alongside powerhouses like Oregon, Ohio State, and Tennessee, Texas remains one of the biggest spenders in the NIL era. The Longhorns have aggressively pursued elite transfers, mirroring Oregon's approach, where new running back Makhi Hughes arrives with a $1 million NIL valuation. The highest NIL valuation for a 2025 transfer belongs to former Georgia quarterback Carson Beck, who is now with Miami at $4.3 million. While Texas has invested heavily to stay competitive, questions remain about whether NIL spending alone can secure a championship.