The Texas Longhorns are on the hunt for help at TE—and fast. With redshirt freshman Jordan Washington sidelined by a collarbone injury, the depth chart is looking dangerously thin. “Our numbers are really down at tight end,” admitted head coach Steve Sarkisian earlier this spring. Filling up the TE spot is essential for the program, and something might be brewing up in their favor…
Enter Jack Endries. The 6’4″, 240-pound California transfer has emerged as a name to watch, according to 247Sports. As a former 3-star recruit from Danville, Endries signed with Cal in 2022—but now, the buzz is building around a potential move to Austin. Now, catching passes from Arch Manning in a high-powered Texas offense? That’s a tempting opportunity no TE would want to pass up.
Texas might be gaining in the portal, but they’re losing some key pieces too. Still, all eyes are on Arch Manning. He silenced critics with his mobility in a breakout win over UTSA on September 21, 2024, proving he’s more than just a pocket passer. Now, he’s opened as the Heisman favorite at BetMGM before even taking a snap as the Longhorns’ full-time starter. It’s clear – Texas is all in on Arch. And they’re all in on Coach Sark too. But that raises the big question. With Sark’s NFL background and elite play-calling resume, will he stick around long enough to bring Texas a national title? Or is the league calling?
On the April 18 episode of That SEC Football Podcast, SEC Mike dropped a bomb that got Longhorn Nation buzzing. “I don’t know how long Sarkesian is going to be there. I think if there’s one SEC coach that makes the most sense to jump to the NFL, it’s probably Sarkesian,” he said. And honestly, it tracks. Sark’s NFL resume is no joke—quarterbacks coach for the Raiders, OC for the Falcons, then lighting it up at Bama. So, with that kind of pedigree and play-calling genius, it’s not a matter of if the NFL comes calling… It’s when.
But here’s the twist—Mike didn’t stop there, and he added, “But I don’t think he’s going anywhere, until he wins a national championship. And they certainly got the resources; they’re throwing everything they can to give him what he wants.” So, in other words, Sark’s got unfinished business in Austin. The NFL can wait—Texas is all-in on chasing that national title of CFB, and Sark isn’t backing down until he gets it.
Right now, with Nick Saban’s dynasty in the rearview, the SEC throne feels wide open. However, Mike didn’t hesitate to crown Georgia as the team to beat. But then came the kicker—”Buddy, I think if there’s a close, close second, it’s got to be Texas,” Mike told Shane. That’s high praise. And it only fuels the fire for Steve Sarkisian. So, the path to a national championship is there, and Sark has the keys.
Co-host Cousin Shane jumped on the Texas hype train with full steam, backing Mike’s bold call. He was fired up, declaring the Longhorns are headed for a national title under Steve Sarkisian. For Shane, it wasn’t just about potential—it was about production. He pointed to the win total sitting around nine and a half and argued that ten wins is well within reach. However, a playoff spot? Definitely on the table. But there’s a caveat. Another SEC title game loss or an early playoff exit could dull the shine. Still, Shane believes Texas is casting a bigger shadow than ever—and it’s only growing.
While SEC insiders believe Steve Sarkisian has the tools and the chance to make a national title run, they also weighed in on the massive pressure surrounding Arch Manning. Because make no mistake—Arch Manning faces a stark crisis.
Steve Sarkisian’s QB1 is staring down a crisis
At long last, Arch Manning gets his shot to carry the weight of a legendary name. Look, with uncles like Eli and Peyton, and grandpa Archie watching, the spotlight couldn’t be brighter. This isn’t just about college stardom—NFL eyes are already locked in. But before he can rise, Arch has to survive the storm. The pressure is real. The fanbase is demanding. And the road ahead? It starts with a triple threat that could shake any young QB. Now it’s time to shift out of neutral and hit full throttle.
Carrying the heavyweight Manning name is no easy ride, but Arch makes it look smooth. He’s not just living up to the legacy—he’s building his own. With jaw-dropping stats against Mississippi State and UTSA, the doubters are running out of breath. Nepotism? Not a chance. Arch is proving he’s got the game, not just the name. Analyst Thor Nystrom already sees him headed to the NFL—with the Saints, no less. The torch isn’t just lit—it’s blazing.
On3’s J.D. PicKell just hit the panic button for Texas. His warning? Arch Manning doesn’t have enough firepower out wide. That’s right—receiver depth is looking thin. “Around Arch Manning, the receiver position is a little bit limited,” said PicKell. Not only this, for the fourth straight year, Texas is diving into the portal for help. This time, it’s Stanford transfer Emmett Mosley V. He’s got talent, no doubt. But there’s a snag—Mosley isn’t taking part in spring practice. That’s a big red flag. And for Arch Manning, it means walking into the storm without his full arsenal.
Because spring ball is when chemistry is built, especially between QBs and wideouts. But for Arch Manning, that window’s already looking shaky. Sure, fans might be banking on Ryan Wingo. The sophomore flashed big-time potential and even jumped Isaiah Bond late last season. Then there’s DeAndre Moore, the junior grinding on the jugs machine, building solid timing with Arch since Year One.
Sounds promising—until bad luck strikes again. Because even with talent, injuries and inconsistencies have kept this WR room from being fully locked in. And for Arch, that spells trouble.
The post Steve Sarkisian’s Move to NFL Coaching Job Addressed by SEC Insider as Arch Manning Faces Stark Crisis appeared first on EssentiallySports.