News Article
Published
Oct 20, 2026 at 05:49 PM EDT
When the Texas Longhorns announced backup quarterback KJ Lacey would get some first-team reps this week, it started a social media firestorm.
On one side are those who staunchly defend QB Arch Manning. On the other side are those who believe Manning is overrated and only won the starting job because of his last name.
And while Manning hasn’t lived up to expectations through his first season-and-a-half as the Longhorns’ starter, he has shown flashes of QB1 potential in various games during that time.
But after back-to-back losses to unranked Oklahoma and Florida, Texas doesn’t exactly have time to wait for Manning to work through his issues — especially if it wants to make the 12-team College Football Playoff field this season.
Some believe Manning is one bad play or two away from being benched, but according to Texas insider Anwar Richardson of OrangeBloods.com, that’s not necessarily the case.
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"I was told that it would take a ‘[expletive] performance’ against Ole Miss for Texas football coach Steve Sarkisian to bench Manning,” Richardson said. “Sarkisian and his staff are trying to get everything they can out of Manning, and I do not sense that he is on a short leash heading into this weekend. However, my only disclaimer is that you never know what decision a coach might make in the heat of the moment, especially if frustration starts to set in.”
Based on what’s being reported, Lacey getting first-team reps is more of a “just in case” precaution as it is a clear signal Manning is on a short leash.
“From what I gathered, throwing Lacey into the fire this weekend is not Sarkisian’s ideal scenario,” Richardson added.
Manning has dealt with obvious growing pains this season.
He’s completing 63.9% of his passes for 1,295 yards, 11 touchdowns and five interceptions. But he hasn’t used his mobility — one of the more underrated parts of his game — near as much as most thought he would.
In games against Ohio State, Tennessee, Oklahoma, and Florida — moments when a QB the caliber of Manning is expected to take over — he’s thrown just one more touchdown than interceptions (five to four) and Texas has lost two of those four games.