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Texas Adds 1,600-Yard Transfer QB to Backup Arch Manning

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Grant Bricker | Last updated May 4, 2025 3:05 PM ET

With Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers being drafted, the spotlight is now on Arch Manning.

The Longhorns went into the portal and found a backup for Manning on Sunday, as On3's Pete Nakos reported, Troy quarterback Matthew Caldwell was transferring to Texas.

Manning saw starting action for Texas in 2024. He first came in for the injured Ewers against UTSA and then started in the UL Monroe and Mississippi State Bulldogs games.

Ewers suffered a torn oblique versus the Michigan Wolverines in Week 2 and played in the following game against UTSA. However, the injury worsened during the UTSA game, and Ewers was forced to exit.

Caldwell was the No. 246 quarterback in the On3 Transfer Portal Industry Rankings.

He joins a Texas transfer class highlighted by defensive lineman Cole Brevard (Purdue), defensive lineman Travis Shaw (North Carolina), receiver Emmett Mosely (Stanford) and linebacker Brad Spence (Arkansas).

Caldwell did not start for Troy until the last five games of the regular season. Troy had many different starting quarterbacks last season, with Tucker Kilcrease and Will Crowder also seeing consistent minutes.

Caldwell played in 10 games last season, throwing for 1,608 passing yards, 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions.

Now at Texas, he joins a quarterback room that includes Manning, Trey Owens, Joe Tatum and Karle Lacey Jr.

Texas finished the regular season 11-1 to clinch a spot in the SEC Championship Game. The Longhorns lost to the Georgia Bulldogs in overtime, 22-19.

After the conference title game, Texas was the No. 5 seed in the College Football Playoff and reached the semifinal.

The Longhorns lost to the eventual national champion, the Ohio State Buckeyes. Texas opens the 2025 season against Ohio State on Aug. 30.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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