Texas Longhorns Face QB Competition as Arch Manning Battles Early Struggles

The Texas Longhorns, led by quarterback Arch Manning, are facing significant challenges as they enter the 2025 college football season, including offensive struggles and fan dissatisfaction with Manning's performance. Analyst Cole Cubelic pointed to broader offensive issues beyond Manning, citing weaknesses in the offensive line and execution errors by running backs, which have hampered the team's productivity. Despite these struggles, former Heisman winner Charlie Ward expressed support for Manning, drawing parallels to his own early career challenges and emphasizing the pressure on young quarterbacks at high-expectation programs. Meanwhile, Texas is actively recruiting for the future, with coach Steve Sarkisian targeting top quarterback prospects like Kavian Bryant to eventually succeed Manning, amid competition from programs such as Texas Tech and Florida State. The Longhorns recently secured a win against UTEP, though the crowd's mixed reaction highlighted the ongoing scrutiny of their offensive unit. Overall, Texas is navigating a critical transition period, balancing immediate performance issues with long-term recruiting and development plans.