Texas Longhorns OL coach Kyle Flood says right tackle is up for grabs but thinks his unit has a distinct advantage

Kyle Flood also gave his thoughts on new quarterback Arch Manning.

The third-year player out of New Orleans, La., has done all the right things this offseason – taking the reins in stride from former starter Quinn Ewers. But, Flood thinks he has done the little things coaches are unable to do which could set the Longhorns apart from the rest of the SEC and the nation.

“Arch is a great leader. That’s where it starts from," Flood said. "I think he’s done a really good job of driving the offense in the summer when us as coaches, we can’t necessarily do it in a firsthand way.”

There are also a few newcomers who have Kyle Flood's attention heading into fall camp.

The Texas staffer mentioned Jackson Christian and Nick Brooks as two 2025 signees who "have progressed well" but “training camp becomes the real test".

Jordan and Devin Coleman are hard to miss – standing 6-foot-5 and 6-foot-4 respectively. But, the early returns off the scale from Flood are promising.

“They’re still getting caught up a little bit. Watching them move around in the summer, I’m really excited about their futures.”

Regardless of class, Flood knows what is at stake this season. The Longhorns had arguably one of the top units in 2024. And his group was a large part of why Texas won 13 games, earned an SEC championship game appearance, and made it to the CFP semifinals. Now, all he has to do is put together another unit which can get the program back to contention.

"Anytime you are getting the opportunity to be a full-time starter for the first time, there should be a little bit a chip on your shoulder," Flood said. "My responsibility to the head coach of the program is make sure I put the best five players out there ... where do those pieces actually fall."

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