It’s unclear whether returning starter Arch Manning will declare for the NFL Draft following the 2026 college football season, foregoing the incoming redshirt junior’s final season of Longhorns eligibility.
Even so, the talking sports heads and blogging bros can’t get enough speculation as to who will eventually replace Manning. And word out of the 40 Acres now that the spring game has come and went is that the answer to who’s up next is… true freshman KJ Lacey, who has stood throughout the preseason
thus far.
From Sports Illustrated: “Lacey entered his true freshman season buried on the depth chart as the third-string quarterback, completing just one pass all year. Still, even late last season, head coach Steve Sarkisian made it clear the staff was encouraged by his development.”
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING ABOUT THE LONGHORNS
Austin American-Statesman: Oklahoma State softball upsets Texas in final non-conference game of the season
Austin American-Statesman: The basketball portal has closed. What’s next for the Texas Longhorns?
Inside Texas: Former Longhorns Drew Kelson and Jett Bush break down Texas’ Spring Game
ICYMI IN BURNT ORANGE NATION
2026 NFL Draft profile: Texas LB Trey Moore
2026 NFL Draft profile: Texas S Michael Taaffe
RECRUITING ROUNDUP
247Sports: Inside Top247 LB Mikahi Allen’s recruitment as he pushes OV total to six
247Sports: Scruggs Scoop: The latest on Semaj Stanford and something to keep in mind between now and December
247Sports: Recruiting Intel: International DL narrows to 5 schools, a school to watch with decision nearing
Inside Texas: Peyton Miller Recruiting Update: Where things stand, upcoming visits
SEC SHOWDOWN
Inside Texas: Which SEC head coaches are actually on the hot seat entering 2026?
Inside Texas: So who is actually good in SEC baseball?
Rock M Nation: Spring Vibe Check: The spectrum of human experience
Rocky Top Talk: Tennessee basketball set for N.C. State matchup in Nashville
Dawg Sports: Midweek games are important…but not too much
A Sea Of Blue: Former Kentucky recruit Tounde Yessoufou enters transfer portal, but another school has early buzz
WHAT WE’RE READING
NEWS ACROSS LONGHORN NATION AND BEYOND
- Here, have a hit of hope-ium.
