With Manning's play, there's wonder if coach Steve Sarkisian will try to make a switch at quarterback to boost theLonghorns, a move that would surely stun the college football world. But if Manning got replaced or injured, who would command theTexasoffense?
Here's what to know about Texas' backup quarterback:
Who is Texas, Arch Manning's backup QB?
Matthew Caldwellis the backup quarterback at Texas. He is a 6-foot-4-inch senior from Auburn, Alabama.
Matthew Caldwell of the Texas Longhorns warms up in the second half against the San Jose State Spartans at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on Sept. 6, 2025 in Austin, Texas.
Caldwell is in his first season with the Longhorns after spending time atJacksonville State,Gardner-WebbandTroy. He is a dual-threat quarterback that uses his legs frequently.
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His freshman season was at Jax State in 2021, where he appeared in three games with 14-of-30 passes for 136 yards mark, as well as five rushes for 27 yards and a touchdown. In 2022 he transferred to Gardner-Webb and played in six games as the Bulldogs' backup option. Caldwell played in four games in 2023 to finish his time at Gardner-Webb 114-for-183 with 1083 yards, six touchdowns and six interceptions. He also had three rushing touchdowns in two seasons.
Caldwell transferred to Troy for the 2024 season and was the backup option but started six games, including the final five contests of the season. He went 141-for-223 with a career-high 1,608 yards with 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions, as well as five rushing scores. Troy went 3-2 in the final five games as it finished 4-8 on the season.
After one season with the Trojans, Caldwell transferred to Texas.
Matthew Caldwell Texas stats
He has played in four games in 2025 for Texas. He is 7-for-10 for 75 yards and 64 rushing yards, including a 50-yard run againstSam Houston.
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What Steve Sarkisian has said about Matthew Caldwell?
The Texas coach has praised Caldwell's athleticism, maturity and how he's built relationships with his teammates in his first year in Austin.
"He's got athleticism, and he throws an accurate ball. … He's really coachable," Sarkisian told reporters before the season. "He's got really good rapport with his teammates. He's got good rapport with the other quarterbacks. He carries himself confidently, but not arrogantly. So, there's a lot of things to like about him."
Arch Manning of Isidore Newman School appears in a victory over Holy Savior Menard Central High School in the semifinals of the Louisiana High School Athletic Association basketball championship tournament on March 9, 2021.
(Scott Clause, USA TODAY Network via Imagn Content Services, LLC)
Arch Manning attends a college football game between the South Carolina Gamecocks and the Georgia Bulldogs at Sanford Stadium on Sept. 18, 2021, in Athens, Georgia.
(Todd Kirkland, Getty Images)
Arch Manning of Isidore Newman School attends the college football game between the Texas Longhorns and the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on Oct. 16, 2021, in Austin.
(Tim Warner, Getty Images)
Arch Manning looks on during his recruiting visit to Clemson University before the college football game between the Clemson Tigers and the Florida State Seminoles at Clemson Memorial Stadium on Oct. 30, 2021, in Clemson, South Carolina.
(Jacob Kupferman, Getty Images)
Arch Manning of Isidore Newman High School looks on during the game against Hahnville High School on Sept. 2, 2022, in Boutte, Louisiana.
(Chris Graythen, Getty Images)
Arch Manning of Isidore Newman High School competes in the football game against Hahnville High School on Sept. 2, 2022, in Boutte, Louisiana.
(Chris Graythen, Getty Images)
Arch Manning watches pregame warmups on the sideline before the game between the Texas Longhorns and the Iowa State Cyclones at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on Oct. 15, 2022, in Austin.
(Tim Warner, Getty Images)
Arch Manning of the Texas Longhorns warms up before the Texas football Orange-White spring football game at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on April 15, 2023, in Austin.
(Tim Warner, Getty Images)
Arch Manning of the Texas Longhorns warms up prior to the college football game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium on Sept. 9, 2023, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
(Kevin C. Cox, Getty Images)
Arch Manning of the Texas Longhorns warms up prior to the college football game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium on Sept. 9, 2023, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
(Kevin C. Cox, Getty Images)
Cole Hutson and Arch Manning of the Texas Longhorns pose after defeating the Alabama Crimson Tide 34-24 at Bryant-Denny Stadium on Sept. 9, 2023, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
(Kevin C. Cox, Getty Images)
Maalik Murphy of the Texas Longhorns greets Arch Manning before the game against the BYU Cougars at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on Oct. 28, 2023, in Austin.
(Tim Warner, Getty Images)
Arch Manning of the Texas Longhorns dives into the end zone for a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Colorado State Rams at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on Aug. 31, 2024, in Austin.
(Tim Warner, Getty Images)
Connor Robertson of the Texas Longhorns congratulates Arch Manning with a lift after Manning scored a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Colorado State Rams at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on Aug. 31, 2024, in Austin.
(Tim Warner, Getty Images)
Arch Manning of the Texas Longhorns greets fans on the way to the stadium before the game against the Louisiana Monroe Warhawks at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on Sept. 21, 2024, in Austin.
(Tim Warner, Getty Images)
Arch Manning of the Texas Longhorns scrambles in the second half while defended by Deonte Anderson of the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on Sept. 28, 2024, in Austin.
(Tim Warner, Getty Images)
Jake Majors of the Texas Longhorns celebrates with Arch Manning after a touchdown in the second half against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on Sept. 28, 2024, in Austin.
(Tim Warner, Getty Images)
Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning arrives prior to the college football game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on Nov. 23, 2024, in Austin.
(Tim Warner, Getty Images)
Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning warms up before a college football game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium on Nov. 16, 2024, in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
(Wesley Hitt, Getty Images)
Arch Manning and Cole Lourd of the Texas Longhorns celebrate after defeating the Arizona State Sun Devils, 39-31, in double overtime, in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Jan. 1, 2025, in Atlanta.
(Kevin C. Cox, Getty Images)
Arch Manning and Cooper Manning work a promotional shift at a Raising Cane's in Thibodaux, Louisiana, on June 26, 2025.
(Kaitlyn Morris, Getty Images for Raising Cane's)
Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Arvell Reese tackles Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning during the first half of the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium on Aug. 30, 2025.
(Adam Cairns, Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images)
Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning reacts after getting hit by San Jose State Spartans linebacker Taniela Latu during the second half at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on Sept. 6, 2025.
(Scott Wachter, Scott Wachter-Imagn Images)
Arch Manning of the Texas Longhorns reacts after rushing for a touchdown in the second half against the San Jose State Spartans at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on Sept. 6, 2025, in Austin.
(Tim Warner, Getty Images)
Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning stands on the field during warmups before a game against UTEP at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin on Sept. 13, 2025.
(Gaby Velasquez, El Paso Times / USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images)
1/25
Arch Manning: Texas Longhorns quarterback from legendary football family
Arch Manning of Isidore Newman School appears in a victory over Holy Savior Menard Central High School in the semifinals of the Louisiana High School Athletic Association basketball championship tournament on March 9, 2021.
(Scott Clause, USA TODAY Network via Imagn Content Services, LLC)
1/25
Arch Manning: Texas Longhorns quarterback from legendary football family
Arch Manning of Isidore Newman School appears in a victory over Holy Savior Menard Central High School in the semifinals of the Louisiana High School Athletic Association basketball championship tournament on March 9, 2021.
(Scott Clause, USA TODAY Network via Imagn Content Services, LLC)
2/25
Arch Manning: Texas Longhorns quarterback from legendary football family
Arch Manning attends a college football game between the South Carolina Gamecocks and the Georgia Bulldogs at Sanford Stadium on Sept. 18, 2021, in Athens, Georgia.
(Todd Kirkland, Getty Images)
3/25
Arch Manning: Texas Longhorns quarterback from legendary football family
Arch Manning of Isidore Newman School attends the college football game between the Texas Longhorns and the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on Oct. 16, 2021, in Austin.
(Tim Warner, Getty Images)
4/25
Arch Manning: Texas Longhorns quarterback from legendary football family
Arch Manning looks on during his recruiting visit to Clemson University before the college football game between the Clemson Tigers and the Florida State Seminoles at Clemson Memorial Stadium on Oct. 30, 2021, in Clemson, South Carolina.
(Jacob Kupferman, Getty Images)
5/25
Arch Manning: Texas Longhorns quarterback from legendary football family
Arch Manning of Isidore Newman High School looks on during the game against Hahnville High School on Sept. 2, 2022, in Boutte, Louisiana.
(Chris Graythen, Getty Images)
6/25
Arch Manning: Texas Longhorns quarterback from legendary football family
Arch Manning of Isidore Newman High School competes in the football game against Hahnville High School on Sept. 2, 2022, in Boutte, Louisiana.
(Chris Graythen, Getty Images)
7/25
Arch Manning: Texas Longhorns quarterback from legendary football family
Arch Manning watches pregame warmups on the sideline before the game between the Texas Longhorns and the Iowa State Cyclones at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on Oct. 15, 2022, in Austin.
(Tim Warner, Getty Images)
8/25
Arch Manning: Texas Longhorns quarterback from legendary football family
Arch Manning of the Texas Longhorns warms up before the Texas football Orange-White spring football game at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on April 15, 2023, in Austin.
(Tim Warner, Getty Images)
9/25
Arch Manning: Texas Longhorns quarterback from legendary football family
Arch Manning of the Texas Longhorns warms up prior to the college football game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium on Sept. 9, 2023, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
(Kevin C. Cox, Getty Images)
10/25
Arch Manning: Texas Longhorns quarterback from legendary football family
Arch Manning of the Texas Longhorns warms up prior to the college football game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium on Sept. 9, 2023, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
(Kevin C. Cox, Getty Images)
11/25
Arch Manning: Texas Longhorns quarterback from legendary football family
Cole Hutson and Arch Manning of the Texas Longhorns pose after defeating the Alabama Crimson Tide 34-24 at Bryant-Denny Stadium on Sept. 9, 2023, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
(Kevin C. Cox, Getty Images)
12/25
Arch Manning: Texas Longhorns quarterback from legendary football family
Maalik Murphy of the Texas Longhorns greets Arch Manning before the game against the BYU Cougars at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on Oct. 28, 2023, in Austin.
(Tim Warner, Getty Images)
13/25
Arch Manning: Texas Longhorns quarterback from legendary football family
Arch Manning of the Texas Longhorns dives into the end zone for a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Colorado State Rams at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on Aug. 31, 2024, in Austin.
(Tim Warner, Getty Images)
14/25
Arch Manning: Texas Longhorns quarterback from legendary football family
Connor Robertson of the Texas Longhorns congratulates Arch Manning with a lift after Manning scored a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Colorado State Rams at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on Aug. 31, 2024, in Austin.
(Tim Warner, Getty Images)
15/25
Arch Manning: Texas Longhorns quarterback from legendary football family
Arch Manning of the Texas Longhorns greets fans on the way to the stadium before the game against the Louisiana Monroe Warhawks at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on Sept. 21, 2024, in Austin.
(Tim Warner, Getty Images)
16/25
Arch Manning: Texas Longhorns quarterback from legendary football family
Arch Manning of the Texas Longhorns scrambles in the second half while defended by Deonte Anderson of the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on Sept. 28, 2024, in Austin.
(Tim Warner, Getty Images)
17/25
Arch Manning: Texas Longhorns quarterback from legendary football family
Jake Majors of the Texas Longhorns celebrates with Arch Manning after a touchdown in the second half against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on Sept. 28, 2024, in Austin.
(Tim Warner, Getty Images)
18/25
Arch Manning: Texas Longhorns quarterback from legendary football family
Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning arrives prior to the college football game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on Nov. 23, 2024, in Austin.
(Tim Warner, Getty Images)
19/25
Arch Manning: Texas Longhorns quarterback from legendary football family
Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning warms up before a college football game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium on Nov. 16, 2024, in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
(Wesley Hitt, Getty Images)
20/25
Arch Manning: Texas Longhorns quarterback from legendary football family
Arch Manning and Cole Lourd of the Texas Longhorns celebrate after defeating the Arizona State Sun Devils, 39-31, in double overtime, in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Jan. 1, 2025, in Atlanta.
(Kevin C. Cox, Getty Images)
21/25
Arch Manning: Texas Longhorns quarterback from legendary football family
Arch Manning and Cooper Manning work a promotional shift at a Raising Cane's in Thibodaux, Louisiana, on June 26, 2025.
(Kaitlyn Morris, Getty Images for Raising Cane's)
22/25
Arch Manning: Texas Longhorns quarterback from legendary football family
Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Arvell Reese tackles Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning during the first half of the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium on Aug. 30, 2025.
(Adam Cairns, Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images)
23/25
Arch Manning: Texas Longhorns quarterback from legendary football family
Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning reacts after getting hit by San Jose State Spartans linebacker Taniela Latu during the second half at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on Sept. 6, 2025.
(Scott Wachter, Scott Wachter-Imagn Images)
24/25
Arch Manning: Texas Longhorns quarterback from legendary football family
Arch Manning of the Texas Longhorns reacts after rushing for a touchdown in the second half against the San Jose State Spartans at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on Sept. 6, 2025, in Austin.
(Tim Warner, Getty Images)
25/25
Arch Manning: Texas Longhorns quarterback from legendary football family
Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning stands on the field during warmups before a game against UTEP at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin on Sept. 13, 2025.
(Gaby Velasquez, El Paso Times / USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images)
Texas other QB options
Other than Manning and Caldwell, Texas has four other quarterbacks on the roster. However, they don't have much experience.
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Trey Owens, redshirt freshman: appeared in two games in 2024
KJ Lacey Jr., freshman: made his college debut in the win against Sam Houston
