Why Steve Sarkisian said Arch Manning plays 'for free,' and how that helps Texas football
· Yahoo Sports
Texas football coach Steve Sarkisian reeled in a few big-name transfers this offseason and who does he credit for that? Quarterback Arch Manning.
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Cam Coleman, one of the best wide receivers in the transfer portal, decided to come to Texas. Rasheem Biles, a former Pitt linebacker, was also highly sought after and chose the Longhorns. Sarkisian, now in his fifth season as head coach, said Manning deserve some credit for those moves.
Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian is crowned by Prince Chedward as the Longhorns celebrate after winning the Citrus Bowl 41-27 against the Michigan Wolverines at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, Dec. 31, 2025. (Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman)Football programs in light of the House v. NCAA settlement can now pay their players, but have a limit on the cost of their total roster. In a recent interview to On3, Sarkisian joked that the Longhorns got Manning "for free," making it easier to pay other talented players. Here's what Sarkisian had to say as Texas spring practice draws to a close:
Arch Manning playing 'for free' for Texas
Manning stayed at Texas despite chances to transfer and make more money. On3 projects Manning's NIL valuation to be $5.4 million; Manning's payment from the school, after the House settlement, is rumored to be about $2 million. Texas does not disclose each player's compensation.
"Arch could have dragged us over the coals for 6 six million (dollars), 7 million, whatever he wanted. That’s an extra 5 million that I can go get a Cam Coleman, go get a (running back like) Hollywood Smothers and go get a Rasheem Biles,” Sarkisian said.
Sarkisian said that's nothing new for Texas though. He praised former quarterback Quinn Ewers for not negotiating for higher pay as well.
MORE: What Arch Manning had to say about Texas ex Parker Livingstone's transfer to Oklahoma
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“We’ve had two in a row like that with Quinn (Ewers),” Sarkisian said. “That’s the key. QB1 at Texas is going to get the national deals, like Quinn had Dr Pepper and Arch has Red Bull. They’re going to get those. It’s getting the right type of parent to understand that they don’t need to break the bank with Texas, that they’re going to get theirs. Instead, go surround them with really good players. Both those two kids figured that out."
Sarkisian said that he saved a text from Manning's dad after he committed to play for Texas. It read: Tell every recruit that comes in there that Arch loves the University of Texas, and he’s not taking any money to come there.
“I don’t text him very often. I try to make it count," Cooper Manning said of the text.
Steve Sarkisian lauds Arch Manning's mental toughness, growth
The Longhorns also head coach spoke about Manning's growth from last season and how the noise impacted the young QB, especially after the Florida loss to open SEC play. Manning threw two interceptions in the fourth quarter and was sacked six times in The Swamp on the Longhorns' way to a 29-21 loss.
In light of the poor performance from the pedigreed quarterback, an article from The Athletic called Manning a "flop."
But true to the lyrics of Tom Petty's song "I Won't Back Down," which is traditionally played at Florida home games, neither did Manning.
Texas quarterback Arch Manning watches his former teammates during Texas Longhorns pro day on campus at the University of Texas, March 24, 2026. (Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman)“From that point on, we were a different team, and Arch was a different quarterback,” Sarkisian said.
After the Florida loss, Manning threw for 15 touchdowns and 1,912 yards over eight games.
“Yes, it was tough," Sarkisian said. Every show you turned on and all the articles were questioning him, and I always look for a silver lining when stuff like that happens. But Arch didn’t get weaker. He looked at all that pressure and scrutiny right in the face."
“Ninety-nine percent of kids would have melted last year if they had to endure what he endured, and all Arch did was get stronger.”