Steve Sarkisian needs to face the harsh reality about his 2027 quarterback situation

For the last five years, it has felt as though the Texas Longhorns have been all in on quarterback Arch Manning, and honestly, they kind of have been.

Between putting all their eggs into the "Manning basket", to recruit the QB to Texas over seemingly every other Power Conference program in the country, to making him Quinn Ewers' understudy and biggest threat for the starting role, to making him the QB1 for the University of Texas Longhorns, a ton has gone into Manning's career on the 40 Acres.

Because of that, a lot of people were relieved when Manning decided to stick around for his redshirt junior season with the Horns. However, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian may have let himself believe a little too much in Manning's tenure on his roster.

"I would not be surprised," Sarkisian said when asked if Manning would return for the 2027 season. "I think Arch really loves college football, I really do. I think he loves the University of Texas. He does pretty good through NIL. He’s got some pretty good endorsements going right now, which is a credit to him."

No doubt about it, it would be incredible to have more consistency at quarterback, if Manning were to return for a third season as the Longhorns' starter. However, he is projected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2027 NFL Draft and is set to join a franchise as a likely starting QB at the next level. That's an extremely hard opportunity to pass up for any athlete.

Sark must prepare for Arch Manning to be gone in 2027

More likely than not, no matter what Sarkisian said, Manning will declare for the draft and leave Texas for the NFL, instead of sticking around in Austin for his final season with the Longhorns. However, that by no means is to say that the Horns will be left completely lacking or wanting in the backfield.

Redshirt sophomore K.J. Lacey and true-freshman Dia Bell are set to act as Manning's understudies this season. Class of 2027 three-star quarterback Ty Knutson is set to join them next season. Lacey was a four-star quarterback in the class of 2025, and Bell was the No. 4 QB in the class of 2026. Simply put, Texas has a ton of talent and depth at the quarterback position.

Also read: Urban Meyer hypes up Arch Manning in a way Texas fans are going to love

While it will be yet another restart for the Longhorns when it comes to the level of experience in the backfield, the depth is there. Sarkisian shouldn't put all of his eggs into the Manning basket once again by assuming that Manning will return for a fifth year at Texas.

By not having an obvious successor, Sarkisian will more likely that not have a quarterback battle on his hands next year with Lacey and Bell vying for the starting job. Knutson, a lower-rated and less experienced quarterback, likely won't be in the conversation for QB1 in 2027, but could easily be the successor of whichever quarterback becomes the starter next season.

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