Texas Longhorns Recruit Multiple NFL-Legacy QBs for Future

The Texas Longhorns football program is strategically building a strong quarterback lineage centered around current starter Arch Manning and promising recruits with NFL pedigrees. Among these is Gunner Rivers, son of former NFL quarterback Philip Rivers, who has impressed Texas coaches during visits and is seen as a potential future starter after Manning. Alongside Rivers, five-star 2026 quarterback recruit Dia Bell, son of former NBA player Raja Bell, has committed to Texas and expressed willingness to develop under Manning's mentorship before potentially succeeding him. The Longhorns are also bolstered on offense by the addition of elite 2026 running back Derrek Cooper, recruited with the help of former Texas star and NFL player Bijan Robinson, enhancing the team’s offensive prospects. Texas is clearly focused on maintaining a foundation of high-level talent and NFL experience, which they believe can elevate the program’s success both in college and as a pipeline to the pros. This multi-generational approach, combining mentorship and recruitment of top athletes with professional backgrounds, reflects Texas’s ambition to sustain long-term competitiveness and development at key skill positions.