Steve Sarkisian gives honest review of Arch Manning 'athlete football' vs UTEP
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Steve Sarkisian gives honest review of Arch Manning 'athlete football' vs UTEP
Austin Curtright, USA TODAY NETWORK·USA TODAY Sports
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3 min read
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Texas football quarterback Arch Manninghasn't lived up to the astronomical hype he entered the 2025 season with through three games, mostly struggling againstUTEPon Saturday, Sept. 13.
Manning, the No. 1 overall recruit of the 2023 class, per 247Sports' Composite rankings, completed a mere 11 of 25 passes for 114 yards with a touchdown and an interception against theMinersin Week 3, also rushing for 51 yards with two scores.
The redshirt sophomore flashed in his start againstMississippi Statein 2024, as he finished his first career start with 325 passing yards and three total touchdowns against the Bulldogs. TheLonghornsare certainly hoping for that version of Manning, the nephew of Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks Peyton andEli Manning, at some point this season.
Here is whatTexascoach Steve Sarkisian said of Manning's performance following the game:
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"He knew he was missing some throws that I think he's comfortable making, and then you start skipping reads and scrambling and relying on his legs too much," Sarkisian told reporters after the game. "And that's always my caution, is that when you have a little success with your legs, then you start to rely on your legs, and then we're out of scheme, and now we're just playing athlete football.
"Athlete football can get you so far, but sooner or later, that catches up with you, too."
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)
Sarkisian was also asked about Manning's mechanics, as there has been speculation the quarterback lost some of his fundamentals in 2025. Sarkisian related Manning's struggles to a golf swing, noting the idea of starting a golf swing fast before slowing it down to initiate solid contact.
"That's never a recipe for success, and that's not a good recipe for throwing a football either," Sarkisian said. "I felt like that happened at times today. But I'll have to evaluate the tape a little bit more to see if there's anything else fundamentally that I didn't like."
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Through three starts this season, Manning is 47 of 85 passing (55.2%) for 579 yards with six passing touchdowns and three interceptions. He has also rushed for 112 yards and three touchdowns.
Speculation about Manning's health has also emerged this season, thoughSarkisian shot down those rumorsin his weekly news conference prior to the UTEP matchup.
One thing is clear: If Texas wants to contend for the national championship like many expect in 2025, Manning is going to need to play a lot better moving forward, especially when SEC play starts.
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"We've done enough with him to have a pretty good understanding of who he is as a player and what he's capable of," Sarkisian said. "And I know there's a lot of football in there that's high-level, quality football, and so is my expectation of him as a player, high? Yes. Do I expect him to play the best football of his career the first three games of the season? Probably not."
