Arch Manning on Improvements in 2026, Ohio State & Living Childhood Dream | Texas Football

Summary

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On Texas Football: Arch Manning on Improvements in 2026, Ohio State & Living Childhood Dream

Podcast: On Texas Football
Host: Bobby Burton
Episode Date: July 23, 2026

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Episode Overview

In this engaging press-conference-style episode, Bobby Burton and a rotating cast of college football reporters sit down with Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning. Manning discusses improvements ahead of the 2026 season, reflects on lessons from his previous matchup with Ohio State, shares insights into team chemistry, and opens up about the weight of family legacy and living his childhood dream in the SEC. The episode offers a candid look at how a high-profile quarterback handles expectations and pressure, while giving fans a behind-the-scenes sense of life inside Texas Football.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Looking Ahead to Ohio State & Season Outlook

• Big Early Matchup

  • Arch addresses the Week 2 matchup against Ohio State under the lights.
  • "Yeah, we're excited. Obviously week two is a big game, but you know, we got a bunch of big games and so we're just going to take it one day at a time." (Arch Manning, [00:37])

• Lessons from Last Year’s Game

  • Reflects on learning from a tough game against Ohio State in his previous season.
  • "That was a rough game, so learning from it and moving on and motivating it for me for this year." (Arch Manning, [01:16])

2. The SEC Experience & Family Legacy

• Living the Dream

  • Playing in the SEC as a third-generation SEC quarterback is deeply meaningful for Arch.
  • "Yeah, it's very special to me. I grew up going to SEC games... and so now playing it is a dream come true." (Arch Manning, [00:51])

• Handling Expectations

  • Discusses managing external expectations in his sophomore season as a starter.
  • “My goal this offseason was just to stay present, take it one day at a time. I'm not really worried about the outside world and that's what I'm going to continue to try to do.” (Arch Manning, [01:30])

• On Family Legacy

  • Shares thoughts about legacy and being connected to Ole Miss through his family.
  • “Eli and my grandfather built legacies at Ole Miss, and we're just trying to take it day by day and win some games this year. I'm not really worried about my legacy.” (Arch Manning, [06:40])

3. Relationships and Team Chemistry

• Camaraderie with Teammates

  • Emphasizes the importance of strong relationships with receivers like Cam Coleman.

    • "The good thing about Cam and how we built our relationship is he always wants to throw, he always wants to meet extra. And anytime you get a guy like that, it's easier for me to become close with." (Arch Manning, [01:55])

  • On new freshman Jermaine Bishop:

    • “Jermaine's a great athlete, great player. His high school highlight tape is unreal, but he's also really smart and very competitive, so we're glad to have him on our team.” (Arch Manning, [07:21])

• Transition of Roommates

  • Addresses facing former roommate Parker Livingston, who transferred to OU.
    • “Yeah, it's going to be different. I mean, he was my roommate, so now playing against him is definitely a little bit of a change. I think that's just kind of how college football is now.” (Arch Manning, [06:23])

4. Growth, Coaching, and Mental Approach

• Development Under Steve Sarkisian

  • Speaks highly of his relationship with Coach Sarkisian and team trust.
    • “We have a great relationship. ...He gets us to play hard for him, and I'm excited for year two with him.” (Arch Manning, [02:30])

• On Playing "On Time"

  • Discusses what it means to execute Coach Sark’s philosophy.
  • "I think going through your reads and getting the ball to the right people, and I think I didn't do that sometimes last year, but trying to get better at that this year." (Arch Manning, [02:47])

• Personal Progress & Mental Maturity

  • Shares reflections on how he has changed since first starting against Ohio State.
    • "I think I've become more present. I've obviously matured. I think going through those rough times, learned a lot about myself, and I've become a better man because of it, and hopefully a better player." (Arch Manning, [07:00])

5. The Experience of Game Days & Rivalries

• Goosebumps Before Every Game

  • Arch describes the lasting magic of game days at Memorial Stadium.
    • "Anytime you run out the tunnel, you get goosebumps. And it's a dream come true to be in that position." (Arch Manning, [08:13])

• Rivalry Reflections

  • On the Lone Star Showdown: "A&M, they got a bunch of good players, a great coach. That atmosphere is the real deal. ...We're always excited for that rivalry game." (Arch Manning, [04:07])
  • Looking ahead to playing in Baton Rouge: "I grew up going to Baton Rouge for football games, and we're excited to go. It's going to be a good game." (Arch Manning, [03:23])
  • Anticipates atmosphere at Neyland for Tennessee game: "I've never been so I'm excited to go for the first time. We're all pumped up. First SEC game." (Arch Manning, [05:03])

6. Position Groups & Offensive Progress

• Tight End Room

  • Notes depth and competition among the tight ends this camp.
    • "We got a lot of depth in the tight end room. ...I think it's going to come down to camp to see who kind of takes that role, but it's been a good off season for those guys." (Arch Manning, [05:22])

• Offensive Cohesion

  • On comparing last year’s offense to this year:
    • “I think it's. It's a totally different group. We're definitely all probably a year better, but... it's not really for me to rate. I think that's y'alls job. So I'll let y'all decide that once we start playing.” (Arch Manning, [07:36])

7. Memorable Moments & Quotes

• On When Football Became Fun
  • "I think when we started winning." (Arch Manning, [08:26])

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Playing [in the SEC] is a dream come true." (Arch Manning, [00:51])
• "Going through those rough times, learned a lot about myself, and I've become a better man because of it." (Arch Manning, [07:00])
• "Anytime you run out the tunnel, you get goosebumps." (Arch Manning, [08:13])
• "He was my roommate, so now playing against him is definitely a little bit of a change." (Arch Manning, [06:23])
• "I'm not really worried about my legacy." (Arch Manning, [06:40])

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• SEC Meaning & Legacy: [00:51], [06:40]
• Ohio State Reflection & Motivation: [01:16], [07:00]
• Relationship with Coach Sark: [02:30]
• Discussion on Team Chemistry (Cam Coleman, Parker Livingston, Jermaine Bishop): [01:55], [06:23], [07:21]
• Tight End Group & Offensive Evolution: [05:22], [07:36]
• Rivalries & Game Day Feelings: [03:23], [04:07], [05:03], [08:13]
• Mental Approach to Expectations: [01:30], [07:00]

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Summary

This episode gives a thorough and authentic look at Arch Manning as a young leader at Texas, balancing immense external expectations with a grounded, team-first mentality. Arch’s openness about growth, the pressure of his family name, and his gratitude for living his dream is balanced by a competitive fire to improve and win. Listeners walk away with a clearer understanding of both Manning's personality and the culture within Texas Football as they gear up for another consequential season.

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Transcript

[Casual Speaker]

The car is beautiful. Where did you end up going for it? This exclusive place that dad has connections with. They have more cars for more dealerships than like anywhere else. You have to put me in touch. What's it called? It's Dune Dial.

[Arch Manning]

Where?

[Casual Speaker]

Dune Dial. There's an accent on the E. Do you mean. Yes. I got it undone. Dale. Cars, lift please. You going past Kimage? Oh, Kimmage. No, no. Done deal. Cars. You couldn't possibly go anywhere else.

[Arch Manning]

Abby Miller with the reflector at Mississippi State. Week two is a big week for you guys, hosting Ohio State with a night game.

[Casual Speaker]

How are you feeling going into that game?

[Arch Manning]

Yeah, we're excited. Obviously week two is a big game, but you know, we got a bunch of big games and so we're just going to take it one day at a time. Front row left, Jerry ao.com arch, being a third generation SEC quarterback, what does playing in this conference mean to you personally? Yeah, it's very special to me. I grew up going to SEC games or this lsu Ole Miss and so now playing it is a dream come true. Front row and then pass it to your left. Trevor Denton with Way 31. Just what stood out about throwing to Cam Coleman so far? What makes him special? Yeah, obviously he's a really good athlete, a freak athlete, but he's also a really good person and a very hard worker, so we're excited to have him. Second Rowan, pass it to your right. Hey, Art, it's Rob Gregson, A to Z Sports. What did you take from that Ohio State game, the first go round that you can bring into your second matchup with them? Yeah, I learned a lot. Obviously gaining those game experiences was really good for me. Obviously that was a rough game, so learning from it and moving on and motivating it for me for this year. Front row and pass it right behind you. Hey, Arch. Xavier McKnight with WWSB out of Sarasota. So last season you were coming in as a first year starter for the full time and there were expectations coming in, lofty expectations. There are big expectations on you this year as well. How are you handling that this season after the aftermath of last season? Are you letting it impact you or are you just focusing on going out and playing your game and running your race? Yeah, my goal this offseason was just to stay present, take it one day at a time. I'm not really worried about the outside world and that's what I'm going to continue to try to do. Right side, second rule. PeterKis from mail.com I guess adding to what you said about Cam, how have you kind of built a relationship with him, this offense, this offseason? How would you describe him as a teammate? Yeah, he's a great teammate. He works really hard. The good thing about Cam and how we built our relationship is he. He always wants to throw, he always wants to meet extra. And I think anytime you get a guy like that, it's easier for me to become close with. And he's also a good guy. He can joke and we can go eat. And I'm excited to have him on my team, that's for sure. Second row in the aisle. Hey, Arch. Cameron Lejeune, wak, Montgomery, Alabama. This will be your second season as the starter at Texas. Can you just talk a little bit about your relationship with Steve Sarkeesian and kind of how that's grown in the last two years? Yeah, we have a great relationship. I think he has a good relationship with our whole team, and we all trust him and we're excited to play for him. He gets us to play hard for him, and I'm excited for year two with him. Third row on the right. Hey, archeworth and Care UI sports Coach Sark has talked about his quarterbacks playing on time. What exactly does that look like when you're under center? Yeah, I think going through your reads and getting the ball to the right people, and I think I didn't do that sometimes last year, but trying to get better at that this year. We'll go in the back row. Standing up, please. Standing up. There you go. Hey, Arch, what's going on? Doing well. Doing well. Good to see you again. A.P. steadman of AP. As we see it, Arch, Louisiana native, you'll be playing in Baton Rouge in November. You must think about that once in a while. Yeah, yeah, of course. I definitely heard about that when I went back to Manning Pass Academy in Louisiana. But we're excited. I grew up going to Baton Rouge for football games, and we're excited to go. It's going to be a good game. They're a great program with a bunch of good players, so we're excited. Fourth row on the aisle, then pass it to your right. Tyler Shaw with KBTX and Bryant College Station. With your time at Texas so far, what have you learned about the rivalry in the Lone Star Showdown? And then, you know, two years ago was your first taste of it in College Station. What do you remember about that? Yeah, A and M, they got a bunch of good players, a great coach. That atmosphere is the real deal. So we're excited. Always excited for that rivalry game and we're. We're pumped up.

[Casual Speaker]

The car is beautiful. Where did you end up going for it? This exclusive place that dad has connections with. They have more cars for more dealerships than like anywhere else. You have to put me in touch. What a court. It's Dune Dial.

[Arch Manning]

Where?

[Casual Speaker]

Dune Dial. There's an accent on the E. Do you mean. Yes. I got it on. Done deal cars. Lift, please. You're going past Kimage. Oh, Kimmage. No. Done deal cars. You couldn't possibly go anywhere else on

[Arch Manning]

the end the pass it forward. Hey, Arch. Vince Ferrar, 99.1 the sports animal in Knoxville. You guys played Tennessee and SEC play early on. Peyton said he was rooting for you. Not his alma mater in Tennessee would have been your experiences in Neyland and maybe talking about his time at Tennessee. Yeah, I've never been so I'm excited to go for the first time. We're all pumped up. First SEC game. That's a great program. I spent some time with George McIntyre this offseason. He's a really good dude. So we're all excited. On the aisle in the back, CJ Vogel with on Texas football. Arch, lots been made about the additions at running back as well as your wide receivers. How's kind of that tight end group coming along? What. Where's room for improvement and what are some of the strengths right there? Yeah, we got a lot of depth in the tight end room. All bunch of good guys and we're excited. I think it's going to come down to camp to see who kind of takes that role, but it's been a good off season for those guys. Left side, third row. Hey, our Kevin Kamenko, Oklahoma Zone News 9. Parker Livingston, transferring sides from Texas to OU. What's it going to be like to face him this year? Yeah, it's going to be different. I mean, he was my roommate, so now playing against him is definitely a little bit of a change. I think that's just kind of how college football is now. We go on the fourth row in the middle. Thanks. David Edelstein, sports director at WJTV in Jackson, Mississippi. Yesterday I was covering Ole Miss and of course you got family connections there. They were talking a lot about legacy this year and what that means. And I'm just wondering, in your experience with with your family and connections to Ole Miss and everything, what you've learned in your life, does legacy mean to you and just from what you've witnessed? Yeah, I grew up going Ole Miss games. Obviously, Eli and my grandfather built legacies at Ole Miss, and we're just trying to take it day by day and win some games this year. I'm not really worried about my legacy. Front row, please. Arch. Evan Veth, Inside Texas last year, the archman that walked into Ohio State, now the one that we're talking to here at SEC media days. What's the biggest difference mentally and physically between those two people? You? Yeah, I think I've become more present. I've obviously matured. I think going through those rough times, learned a lot about myself, and I've become a better man because of it, and hopefully a better player. I don't want to repeat that game. Stay on the front row. Hey, Arch. Cord Samuels of Inside Texas. I want to talk a little bit about freshman Jermaine Bishop. What have you seen from him? You know, Sark talked that he is going to play with street receiver, going to be on the offensive side of the ball. Spent a little bit of time in DB meetings. Of course, we all know this. What have you seen for him that he can help, you know, this football team in 2026, not just down the line as he progresses. Yeah, Jermaine's a great athlete, great player. His high school highlight tape is unreal, but he's also really smart and very competitive, so we're glad to have him on our team. Archie and Boyd, Inside Texas, how would you. On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate where the offense was going into fall camp of 2025 and where the offense is going into fall camp of 2026? Yeah, I think it's. It's a totally different group. We're definitely all probably a year better, but I don't know, it's not really for me to. To rate. I think that's Yalls job. So I'll let y' all decide that once we start playing. Final two questions here and then here. Let's fast forward to a September Saturday in Austin. You're at Memorial Stadium. You're seeing all these people in burnt orange. They're screaming hook em horns. It's not your first rodeo in the tunnel, but do you still get goosebumps? Yeah, of course. I think anytime you run out the tunnel, you get goosebumps. And it's a dream come true to be in that position. So, you know, I'm fired up for those, for those moments. Final question right here, front row. At what point in last season did it become fun for you? I think when we started winning. Hey, guys, Blake Monroe here from coffee and football. YouTube thinks that you're going to like this video right here. And if the algorithm knows ball, it's a good one. So go check it out. And then don't forget, hit that.

[Casual Speaker]

The car is beautiful. Where did you end up going for it? This exclusive place that dad has connections with. They have more cars for more dealerships than like, anywhere else. You have to put me in touch. What's it called? It's Dune Dial.

[Arch Manning]

Where?

[Casual Speaker]

Dune Dial. There's an accent on the E. Do you mean. Yes, I got it on. Done deal cars. Lift, please. You going past Kimage? Oh, Kimmage. No. Done deal cars. You couldn't possibly go anywhere else like and subscribe button.