Texas senior quarterback Arch Manning still holds the reins to the Longhorns’ offense despite a rocky first half of the season.
But his grip seems to be looser than ever.
As outside noise regarding other pass-throwing options gets louder, it’s important to understand what these other options look like. Here’s everything you need to know about Texas’ three relevant backup quarterbacks:
KJ Lacey Jr.
Redshirt freshman KJ Lacey Jr., from Saraland, Alabama, was a four-star prospect in high school. He earned offers from over 30 Division I programs, and he selected Texas over both Alabama and Auburn.
Though he has only appeared in three games, Lacey has spent time within the program familiarizing himself with the Longhorns’ playbook and offensive style. He has also earned the respect of his peers.
“He’s a smooth operator,” junior offensive lineman Brandon Baker said of Lacey. “He’s a great player, great person.”
ESPN reported on Monday that Lacey is set to take more first-team reps this week in practice, but head coach Steve Sarkisian said in a media availability on Monday that he always takes first-team reps and isn’t taking more than usual this week.
Whether the redshirt freshman will be utilized on the field against Ole Miss this weekend remains unknown, but if Sarkisian decides to pull Manning from the game at any point, Lacey is likely to be the quarterback who will pilot Texas’ offense against the Rebels.
Dia Bell
According to a scouting report written by 247Sports, freshman quarterback Dia Bell has all the tools he needs to become a great college quarterback — knowledge, arm strength and accuracy.
Similar to Manning, Bell is waiting his turn and focusing on development this season. But even in his limited first-year role, Bell’s immediate growth has been noticed and appreciated.
“Dia is as far along, or maybe even further along, than anybody we’ve had in that role, and that’s a credit to him,” Sarkisian said in an August media availability. “This guy’s got an innate feel for the game.”
The former five-star prospect committed to Texas back in June 2024. He spent the rest of the recruiting cycle helping bring other talented players in his class to the Forty Acres.
It’s hard to say exactly when fans will get their first look at him in a game, but he could be their future if he plays his cards right.
MJ Morris
Rounding out Texas’ resume of relevant backup quarterbacks is senior MJ Morris. Morris is embracing his fourth program and fifth year in college football, having played two seasons at NC State before making his way to Maryland and then Coastal Carolina.
He’s spent most of his college tenure as a backup, but he brings experience to this quarterback room. Morris holds the No. 4 spot in Texas’ quarterback depth chart, sitting behind younger backups Lacey and Bell.
It’s possible that none of the Longhorns’ quarterbacks behind Manning will see the field for the remainder of the season – but it’s also possible that each of them do. College football is unpredictable in that way, especially with teams struggling to meet expectations.
Given Texas’ desperation to turn its season around, the team will do anything in its power to generate energy and efficiency at the quarterback position.
