Texas is ready to step into a historical era of the program with Arch Manning under center. Steve Sarkisian was finally able to make up his mind as Quinn Ewers left for the NFL. Arch has the torch right now. However, that doesn’t necessarily guarantee success. Firstly, the kid has yet to prove his skill and ability on the bigger stage as a QB1. Moreover, he can’t do it alone. He needs his weapons on the offense. Primarily, running backs and wide receivers. Does the new WR room have enough to support the QB1?
Texas has lost a series of key receivers like Isaiah Bond, Johntay Cook II, and Matthew Golden to the NFL draft and portal exodus. So, it’s not rocket science that Arch Manning will have a different set of offensive weapons. Analysts have already sparked doubts over the receiver depth chart. But it seems there is still some hope. Ryan Wingo, the sophomore receiver in 2025, just had LASIK eye surgery. He suffered from some vision problems last year. With a clearer vision, he is expected to bloom to his full potential. But that’s not all. Horns have more strength in their WR room than we realize from the surface.
On the March 16th episode of the On Texas football, Jeff Howe soaked in hope about Sarkisian’s talented WR room. ”We figured Ryan Wingo would be a big part of these. Parker Livingstone would also be a big part of these. DeAndre Moore, obviously we know he’s going to miss spring ball with the toe injury. Aaron Butler’s name has come up, though. He’s a guy that is gonna be much longer for this program, like where is his role, has he been recruited over, but at least for these throwing sessions, from what you’ve been hearing, he’s running with that first group with DeAndre Moore out.’‘
Wingo, the 6’2″, 210-pound key offensive weapon in Sark’s elite offense, has been a dynamic playmaker. He finished his true freshman season with 29 catches for 472 yards and two touchdowns. 2025 can be a great stage for him to set the early momentum for an unprecedented career.
”For two of those wide receivers, Ryan Wingo obviously, but for two of those guys, it does sound like there are some positives. And Butler specifically, that’s a great sign for him with three really talented freshmen coming in four total wide receivers in the mix right now at wide receiver for this group,” Howe continued. Butler and Livingstone could use more development with their route running and blocking in this offense. Texas has a game next weekend, and there is reason to be excited about the receivers’ output in alignment with the quarterback and the entire offense.
Sark has more tools in his yard. Addressing the loaded chart, analyst Howe added, ”Kaliq Lockett, Jamie French, D McCutchen, Michael Terry are going to be with the wide receivers. So [at] that position, there’s going to be a lot of competition.” However, there will still be some bumps in the road for Manning’s excellence in the first year as a starter at Texas.
Arch Manning seems to be destined to face challenges in his early stint as a starter
The extra load of the big last name might get the better of him, flipping the media narrative in seconds. This is something his father, Cooper Manning, has in his mind, too. After all, the over-expectation and the rookie attempt in the most pivotal position in the team don’t go hand in hand. If Arch continues to win games at Austin, leading the offense in 2025, it will be a banger, but it’s not something you can bet a dime on.
Despite Manning’s progress, even his staunch supporter, Coach Sarkisian, acknowledges the challenges ahead. The Texas quarterback should tighten his belt to face criticism, intense judgment, and growing pains—especially as the program transitions into the SEC.
“There’s going to be bumps in the road, that’s part of it,” Sarkisian said. “I’d love for him to go out and throw a touchdown every pass that he throws. But that’s not a reality. And he’s going to hear the murmurs from the crowd, and that’s part of it, too.” In other words, Coach Sarkisian subtly told the fans to limit the hype train and keep their expectations in check to avoid early disappointments.
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