Texas should prioritize Manning's supporting cast after Citrus Bowl win

Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning. Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

Texas should prioritize Arch Manning's supporting cast after Citrus Bowl victory

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Jan 1, 2026 1:48 PM ET

The Texas Longhorns ended the 2025 season on a positive note, but it didn't go as they had envisioned.

Texas entered the season as the No. 1 team in the country after consecutive College Football Playoff appearances in 2023 and 2024. After a bumpy 3-2 start, the Longhorns finished strong, going 7-1 in their last eight games, but they still missed the CFP.

Following a 41-27 Citrus Bowl win over the Michigan Wolverines on New Year's Eve, Texas QB Arch Manning — the nephew of two-time Super Bowl champion/former Tennessee Volunteers star Peyton — made it clear he doesn't want to play in the game again.

"Nothing against the Citrus Bowl, but I think [Peyton] played in it twice," Arch Manning said. "I don't want to have to play in it twice."

Arch Manning on if he has Citrus Bowl bragging rights over Uncle Peyton... #HookEm pic.twitter.com/yCUNnvdyZX
— Darby Brown (@darbyjobrown) January 1, 2026

So, how does Texas ensure Arch Manning isn't playing in the Citrus Bowl again next season?

Texas must bolster Arch Manning's supporting cast in 2026

Texas knows it can count on Arch Manning in 2026. His roller-coaster ride of a first season as a full-time starter culminated with a stellar Citrus Bowl performance. The QB totaled 376 yards (221 passing and 155 rushing) and four touchdowns (two passing and two rushing).

Y'all see that speed? pic.twitter.com/JmOoz6VKlG
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) December 31, 2025

Arch Manning can clearly be a Heisman candidate in 2026, but he can't do so without reliable targets. Texas improving its passing attack starts with finding a complement for WR Ryan Wingo, entering his junior season in 2026. The former five-star recruit led the team in receiving yards this past season with 834 in 13 games. No other Longhorn finished with more than 532 receiving yards.

Texas should strongly consider targeting WR Cam Coleman in the transfer portal. In 12 games for the Auburn Tigers this past season, he had 56 receptions for 708 yards and five TD catches.

Adding another running back, perhaps Jadan Baugh (Florida Gators), wouldn't hurt, either. Longhorns RB Christian Clark flashed promise in the Citrus Bowl, rushing for a season-high 105 yards and one TD on 20 carries. However, the rising sophomore is the only known quantity in the Texas backfield.

Longhorns RBs Quintrevion Wisner and CJ Baxter have announced they're entering the transfer portal. Wisner led the team in rushing yards (597 in nine games) in 2025, while Baxter had 196 in eight games.

It's great for the program that it features a QB who's related to a Pro Football Hall of Famer, but he can't thrive without weapons. To fulfill Texas-sized expectations in 2026, the Longhorns must give him more this offseason.

Clark Dalton

Clark Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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