The Texas Longhorns’ season ended in an anticlimactic fashion, but head coach Steve Sarkisian can still take pride in their overall performance. This was the team’s first year in the SEC following conference realignment, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the program. Now, another significant shift is on the horizon—after spending two years as a backup, Arch Manning is preparing to take center stage as Texas’ starting quarterback. However, his transition into this role isn’t without challenges.
A Planned Transition That’s Already Facing Hurdles
On the surface, Texas appears to be executing its plan smoothly. The idea was to seamlessly transition from Quinn Ewers to Arch Manning, maintaining their contender status in college football. However, things rarely go as planned in the sport, and the Longhorns’ quarterback change has already encountered complications. Last season, Texas played more games than nearly any other program, tying with Notre Dame and Ohio State for the most appearances in the FBS. The expanded schedule, which included an additional regular-season game and the newly implemented 12-team playoff, meant Texas players endured a more grueling workload than their predecessors. Given this high volume of games, the risk of injuries loomed large over the team. Despite Sarkisian’s efforts to mitigate these concerns, the injury bug has now hit the Longhorns—especially within the offensive unit that is meant to support Manning.
While Manning has taken plenty of snaps as a backup, stepping into the starting role is an entirely different challenge. The team has also experienced turnover in the receiving corps, with key wideouts Matthew Golden and Isaiah Bond declaring for the NFL Draft. This made the recent spring camp crucial for Manning to build chemistry with the remaining and incoming receivers. Among the returning wideouts, DeAndre Moore Jr. had been the most productive. He was expected to step into a starting role and compete with Ryan Wingo for the WR1 spot. However, in an unexpected development, Moore is now dealing with an injury. Sarkisian confirmed that Moore will not be a full participant in spring practice, casting doubt over how quickly he and Manning can develop chemistry. This setback complicates Manning’s transition, as working with Moore was a key part of his development. Unfortunately, Moore isn’t the only key offensive weapon that Manning will be missing.
A Growing Injury List
Reports indicate that Moore is suffering from a toe injury, and his absence could have significant consequences for Texas’ 2025 season. The Longhorns face a daunting Week 1 matchup against defending national champions Ohio State. While Moore is expected to recover in time for that game, the lack of spring reps alongside Manning could impact their timing and cohesion. Any misstep in the season opener won’t necessarily ruin Texas’ campaign, but it’s certainly not an ideal way to begin the year. Moore had a promising 2024 season, recording 476 receiving yards on 39 catches with seven touchdowns. He was projected to be the primary weapon in Texas’ passing attack, making his injury even more concerning.
Adding to Texas’ problems, two running backs—CJ Baxter and Christian Clark—are also sidelined and won’t fully participate in spring practice. Their absences were somewhat expected, but the situation remains a significant setback for the offense. With last season’s primary back, Jaydon Blue, heading to the NFL, the Longhorns’ backfield now lacks experience. This further increases the pressure on Manning, who is already dealing with a reshuffled receiving corps. Making matters worse, Texas won’t be holding its traditional spring game, meaning Manning won’t have the opportunity to gain in-game reps in front of fans before the regular season begins.
Sarkisian’s Decision to Cancel the Spring Game
Spring football serves as a bridge for fans between the previous season and the upcoming campaign, offering a glimpse of how teams are shaping up. Traditionally, it provides a chance for players—especially newcomers—to familiarize themselves with live game scenarios. However, Texas won’t be hosting a spring exhibition this year, a decision that has disappointed some supporters.
Sarkisian explained that the move was primarily driven by concerns over player workload. After an unusually long season, he wants to avoid overburdening his roster. Additionally, the team is undergoing a significant roster overhaul, with 27 new faces joining the program. The head coach acknowledged that exposing so many fresh players to the demanding expectations of Texas’ fanbase could be counterproductive.
Some have speculated that the cancellation was also influenced by concerns over player tampering, an issue that has become increasingly prevalent in college football. Programs such as Nebraska have explicitly cited tampering as a reason for not holding spring games. However, Sarkisian pushed back against that notion, stating that tampering is an ongoing issue regardless of whether a spring game is held. Instead, his focus is on laying a strong foundation for his team.
With so many new players to integrate into the system, Sarkisian emphasized the importance of teaching them Texas’ practice habits, drills, and overall philosophy. He acknowledged that this process would be a challenge but insisted that the coaching staff is prepared to ensure the team adapts quickly. Despite the current injury setbacks