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By Jordan Sigler
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Arch Manning had a humbling start to his career as the starting quarterback for Texas, throwing for just 170 yards, one touchdown and one interception in a 14-7 loss to Ohio State last August.
Manning struggled with consistency until late October when he threw for 346 yards, three touchdowns and one interception in a 45-38 win over Mississippi State on Oct. 25. He looked much better in the second half of the season, though he still has much to show before he lives up to the hype that surrounded him during the 2025 preseason.
During SEC Media Days in Tampa, Florida, on Thursday, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian talked about how much Manning has improved since the start of the 2025 season. Sarkisian believes Manning has become a better leader, but said the quarterback's "work ethic has to change."
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“He’s a lot more confident,” Sarkisian said, via a transcription from On3. “I think that last season, he found out a lot about himself. Anytime we’re faced with adversity and we get on the other side of it, you gain confidence. You see a different leader in him, in the way that he interacts with his teammates.
“The work ethic has to change, but I think the ability to lead vocally is much different than before. He’s very comfortable with who he is, and he’s not trying to be something that he’s not. He knows who he is, and I think you’ll probably get a very similar version of him this year, that you had last year.”
Sarkisian didn't go into deeper detail about what he meant by Manning's "work ethic" needing to change.
Certainly, Manning is in a much different spot heading into the upcoming season than he was a year ago in the eyes of people around the NFL. There was chatter last summer that Manning could be the No. 1 quarterback if he entered the 2026 draft.
After some growing pains, Manning appears to have fallen in the eyes of some in the league. Oregon quarterback Dante Moore is now thought to be the top quarterback in college football for the 2027 NFL Draft.
Manning can still move up the draft boards with a stellar campaign this fall. Certainly his last name will help. But he'll have to earn it.
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