Texas reportedly taking steps toward potential Arch Manning benching

Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Texas reportedly taking steps toward potential Arch Manning benching with increased first-team reps for KJ Lacey

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Oct 19, 2026 12:59 PM ET

Texas Longhorns junior quarterback Arch Manning's job may be in jeopardy.

After a 27-24 home loss to the Florida Gators in Week 7, Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian said he would "evaluate everything" offensively, including the starting QB position. The coach is beginning that process as the No. 19-ranked Longhorns (4-2) prepare for their home game against the No. 7-ranked Ole Miss Rebels (5-1) on Saturday (ABC, 7:30 p.m. ET).

Insider shares huge Arch Manning update

On Monday, ESPN college football insider Pete Thamel reported Texas plans to give sophomore QB Karle "KJ" Lacey "an uptick" in first-team reps during this week's practice. Manning is still listed as the starter, but he could be benched if he doesn't get it together soon.

Over the past two games, Manning committed costly late-game turnovers. He threw two interceptions (including a pick-six) in a 27-24 loss to the Oklahoma Sooners in the Red River Rivalry. Against Florida, he fumbled on a 2nd-and-8 at the Texas 48-yard line with 1:48 left in the fourth quarter, trailing 27-24.

Sources: Texas is expected to give an up-tick in first-team quarterback reps to redshirt freshman KJ Lacey Jr. this week in practice. Arch Manning still projects as the Texas starter. The uptick in Lacey’s reps is a signal that Texas could replace Manning if he continues to… pic.twitter.com/OPOQQy0dcE
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) October 19, 2026

Manning has made some spectacular plays this season, but not enough to keep him in the QB1 conversation for the 2027 NFL Draft. Entering Week 8, he ranks 10th among 16 eligible SEC QBs in completion percentage (63.9 percent). He has thrown just 11 touchdown passes and five interceptions.

ARCH LOSES THE FOOTBALL

Florida has possession up 3 with under two minutes to go against Texas! pic.twitter.com/0rKqS9Dawz
— ESPN (@espn) October 17, 2026

What should you know about Karle "KJ" Lacey?

Lacey is a former four-star recruit out of Saraland High School in Saraland, Alabama. The QB has played sparingly in two seasons with the Longhorns, completing 8-of-9 passes for 70 yards.

Lacey, however, drew high praise this offseason. Sarkisian compared him to former Alabama Crimson Tide QB Bryce Young, the 2021 Heisman Trophy winner.

"I think he would be a dangerous guy this fall if [he gets] in the game," the coach said in June, per CJ Vogel of OnTexasFootball.

Sarkisian mentions once more than KJ Lacey has characteristics that reminds him of Bryce Young.

Both in stature, and in ability to play off-script when the bullets start flying.

“I think he would be a dangerous guy this fall if get in the game.” pic.twitter.com/ObbdEOz6tP
— CJ Vogel (@CJVogel_OTF) July 23, 2026

Lacey could prove he's dynamic if Manning doesn't step up amid increased competition.

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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