Arch Manning is the projected Longhorns’ starter in 2025, but who are his backups? Meet Trey Owens and K.J. Lacey

Owens (6-foot-5, 220 pounds) was selected for the U.S. Army Bowl and All-American Bowl and was ranked 24th among quarterbacks in the state of Texas by 247Sports for the class of 2024.

It would have been difficult, if not impossible, for the Horns to land a five-star standout in the 2024 recruiting cycle because all recruits could see Ewers and Manning as the short-term solutions. But it made sense to get a strong-armed in-state recruit with a solid high school background.

Owens threw for 6,411 yards and 81 touchdowns with only 11 interceptions in high school. At one point, he notched four straight games with 300 yards or more.

“Trey’s a natural passer,” Sarkisian said last March. “And it definitely shows in practice. He has the ability to pass the football, he can make all the throws. There's a lot coming at him right now after four practices (and) having all of the offense we've put in. But he does not get rattled that way. If anything, he gets a little hard on himself.”

Sarkisian complimented Owens for putting work on on changing his body. “The future’s bright for him.”

Lacey was the first commitment of the class of 2025, and he stayed true to his word throughout. The Alabama product signed in December after a tremendous high school career with three seasons of deep playoff runs.

Lacey threw for 3,177 yards with 40 touchdowns as a sophomore while leading Saraland to its first state championship. As a junior, he threw for another 3,448 yards and 42 touchdowns and reached the state championship game again.

Lacey has enrolled at UT and will participate in spring practice.

Asked by ESPN why he chose UT, Lacey said, “Coach Sarkisian for the most part and (quarterbacks coach AJ) Milwee also, the Texas fan base and coach Sark’s offense. “

“I’m going out there, going to compete first of all,” Lacey added. “And then after that, go do what I do out there on the field. I want to win a natty first of all. And then whatever comes after that.”

The Longhorns also have another strong recruit in the pipeline with 2026 prospect Dia Bell. He committed in June as the first member of the class of 2026, picking Texas over Ohio State, Penn State, LSU and Florida. He’s the son of former NBA standout Raja Bell and, to no surprise, is a two-sport star.

The backups sound great, but right now, it’s Manning’s time.