The growth Steve Sarkisian has seen in Arch Manning is exactly what the Horns needed

Last season, fans fell flat as the Texas Longhorns and starting quarterback Arch Manning stumbled in the first game of the year, failing to find the end zone in their loss to the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Then, as the year progressed, Manning found his footing and matured into the Heisman-caliber quarterback that everyone had expected him to be as soon as the season kicked off.

Also read: The most pressing question for Arch Manning to answer at 2026 SEC Media Days

This offseason, according to Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian, Manning has gained even more maturity and grown into an even larger leadership role for the Horns.

"[Manning's] a lot more confident. I think 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," Sarkisian said at SEC Media Days. "I think that you see a different leader in him, in the way that he interacts with his teammates... He's very comfortable with who he is. He's not trying to be something that he's not."

Longhorns's Arch Manning is fully in his QB1 role

What more could the Longhorns look to hear than the fact that their quarterback not only grew in his leadership capabilities, but that he's also more comfortable in his own skin and his role on the team?

Then, it got even better when Manning echoed his head coach's sentiments, voicing his own belief that his additional experience has made it possible for him to become better on the field and in games.

Just having more experience under my belt… going through some rough games and good games, getting those experiences," Manning said. "We’re moving forward one day at a time right now. We’re excited for this team, this year. We’re going to keep chopping wood and getting better every day. I’m blessed to have good coaches and teammates supporting me through the rough times."

Of course, last season, Manning faced the defending National Champion Buckeyes in his first game as the Longhorns' full-fledged starting quarterback. Not to mention the fact that it was genuinely his first full start on the road for Texas, and the pressure was incomparable for the relatively inexperienced quarterback.

"I think I've become more present, obviously more mature. I think going through those rough times, learned a lot about myself, became a better man because of it, and hopefully a better player. I don't want to repeat that game," Manning said.

Read more: Jordan Rodgers reaches his annual quota for trying to place doubt on Arch Manning

All of that aside, he fell short of expectations, but he clearly hasn't let the negative noise around his first starting season go to his head.

"Arch takes some real tough criticism. Some would say disrespectful. He doesn’t go on social media and go complain about it. He goes out and works. That’s what a real guy does," Sarkisian said.

Providing even more help, and a source of confidence, for Manning on the offensive side of the ball are the transfer portal additions that Sarkisian picked up this offseason. Specifically, running backs Hollywood Smothers and Raleek Brown, as well as wide receiver Cam Coleman to beef up the starting lineup.

Ultimately, it sounds like Manning is ready to start this season where he left the last one off (defeating the Texas A&M Aggies to close out the regular season and beating the Michigan Wolverines in a bowl game), which is exactly where the Longhorns need him to be.

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