Texas Longhorns retool roster around Arch Manning for championship push

The Texas Longhorns are preparing for a high-stakes season centered on quarterback Arch Manning, as head coach Steve Sarkisian has aggressively utilized the transfer portal to retool the roster for a College Football Playoff run. Following a season that ended without a playoff appearance, the program has added talent at running back and wide receiver to support Manning.

While Manning is the established starter, a secondary competition is developing between redshirt freshman KJ Lacey and Dia Bell. Sarkisian noted that Bell is “as far along, or maybe even further along, than anybody we’ve had in that role,” highlighting Bell's potential to challenge for position in the coming seasons. Lacey, who has drawn comparisons to former Alabama quarterback Bryce Young, remains a key part of the depth chart as the team enters preseason camp.