Arch Manning's Roommate Is Transferring To Rival Program

Originally posted on The Spun | By Daniel Bates | Last updated Jan 6, 2026 3:17 PM ET

After entering the transfer portal at the turn of the year, Arch Manning's college roommate has reportedly jumped to their school's biggest rival.

On Jan. 1 it was reported that Texas wide receiver Parker Livingstone intended to enter the portal after finishing his redshirt freshman season with 29 catches 516 yards and six touchdowns.

And now just a handful of days later, ESPN 's Pete Thamel shared that the Longhorns wideout has decided to cross the Red River and join the Oklahoma Sooners.

Nov 28, 2025; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns wide receiver Parker Livingstone (13) before warming up before a game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images© Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

Parker Livingstone transfers to OU

Livingstone's proximity to Manning apparently wasn't enough to keep him in Austin and now Oklahoma has landed a prominent pass catcher with three years left of eligibility.

Per Thamel: "Former Texas receiver Parker Livingstone has committed to Oklahoma. He took visits to Indiana and OU and decided to pick his former school's arch Rival."

The Sooners have now landed a couple of big additions in the portal with the recent signing of former UTSA defensive lineman Kenny Ozowalu who also reportedly drew interest from Texas, Auburn and Mississippi State.

Livingstone, along with ex-Virginia WR Trell Harris should only add to OU's passing attack considering Harris' third-team All-ACC standing in 2025 with 59 catches, 847 yards and five TDs — all career-highs for the 6'0" senior.

Sources: Former Texas receiver Parker Livingstone has committed to Oklahoma. He took visits to Indiana and OU and decided to pick his former school's arch Rival. He had 516 receiving yards as a freshman. https://t.co/UmIkscQNU6
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) January 6, 2026

Arch Manning returning to Texas

While his college roomie may be crossing enemy lines, Arch Manning is fully committed to returning to Texas after overcoming his early struggles to put together an albeit solid but unfulfilled season in 2025.

"He's a young man who's gotten better as the season's gone on, and not only physically, but mentally, maturity-wise," Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian said last month. "I would think he's going to want another year of that growth to put himself in position for hopefully a long career in the NFL. And he's got some unfinished business of what he came here to do and what he came here to accomplish."

"We had a really good football season," the coach added. "We left some meat on the bone with an opportunity to be SEC champs, national champs, and so ultimately for him, I think the competitor in him is going to say, 'Man, I sure would like another crack at trying to do those things.'"

It'll certainly make for some interesting interactions when the longtime rivals meet next season. We'll see which roommate is able to get the better of the other in the 122nd chapter of the Red River showdown.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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