Texas Longhorns and Arch Manning: Addressing Speculation on Throwing Issues

Introduction

On September 8, 2025, Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian sharply rebuffed a reporter’s question about whether quarterback Arch Manning was experiencing throwing issues, following social media speculation sparked by videos from the team’s 38-7 victory over San Jose State. The reporter referenced a moment where Manning appeared to grimace while throwing a short pass to receiver Ryan Wingo, prompting questions about potential shoulder pain or injury. Sarkisian dismissed the speculation with a humorous analogy, stating, “I’ve never filmed any of you guys when you’re using the bathroom, so I don’t know what faces you make when you’re doing that,” and Manning himself denied any injury, emphasizing the need to complete the pass. This incident, coupled with Manning’s uneven performance in a season-opening loss to Ohio State, has fueled discussions about his mechanics, development, and role as the Longhorns’ starting quarterback. This 2,000-word analysis examines the context of the speculation, Manning’s performance, Sarkisian’s coaching philosophy, and the broader implications for Texas’ 2025 season.

Background: The Arch Manning Era at Texas

Arch Manning, a redshirt freshman and former five-star recruit, is one of the most highly touted quarterbacks in college football. As the nephew of NFL legends Peyton and Eli Manning, he carries immense expectations and scrutiny. After backing up Quinn Ewers in 2023 and 2024, Manning earned the starting role for the 2025 season following Ewers’ departure to the NFL. His transition to QB1 has been closely watched, with fans and analysts eager to see if he can live up to his pedigree and lead Texas to a College Football Playoff (CFP) berth.

Manning’s first two starts in 2025 have produced mixed results. In the season opener against Ohio State on August 30, he completed 17 of 30 passes for 170 yards, one touchdown, and one interception in a 14-7 loss. Observers noted several errant throws and a sidearm delivery that deviated from his usual mechanics, prompting questions about his readiness. In contrast, Manning rebounded against San Jose State on September 6, completing 19 of 30 passes for 295 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception, while adding a 20-yard rushing touchdown. Despite the strong statistical performance, a televised moment where Manning grimaced during a throw sparked speculation about potential throwing issues, setting the stage for Sarkisian’s press conference response.

The Speculation: Social Media and the Grimace

The speculation about Manning’s throwing issues originated from social media videos capturing a specific play against San Jose State. During the game, Manning short-hopped a pass to Ryan Wingo on a dig route over the middle, appearing to grimace as he released the ball. Fans and analysts on platforms like X interpreted this as a possible sign of shoulder discomfort or injury, leading to widespread discussion. Posts on X, such as one from @SinCityRoto, criticized Manning’s mechanics, stating, “Mechanically not good. Really bad feet and arm slot. That lead to serious inaccuracy,” further fueling the narrative of potential issues.

Sarkisian’s response during his weekly press conference on September 8 was swift and dismissive. When a reporter suggested Manning was experiencing “throwing pains,” Sarkisian interjected, “According to who? Arch said that to you?” He followed with his bathroom analogy, effectively shutting down the line of questioning. Manning, when asked postgame about shoulder concerns, also denied any issues, stating, “No, no, I gotta make that throw. He was open. Ran a good dig route, so gotta make that throw.”

This incident highlights the challenges of managing public perception in the social media era, where a single moment can be amplified into a broader narrative. For a high-profile player like Manning, every action is scrutinized, and Sarkisian’s response aimed to protect his quarterback while redirecting focus to performance improvement.

Analyzing Manning’s Mechanics

Sarkisian provided insight into Manning’s struggles, particularly in the Ohio State game, attributing them to footwork and anxiety rather than physical issues. He noted, “There were a couple times where we had some crossing routes where I didn’t feel like he brought his feet to where he wanted to throw the ball, which in turn forced kind of a little bit more of a sidearm delivery, which isn’t his style of throwing.” This assessment aligns with observations from analysts like Kurt Warner, who emphasized the importance of proper footwork in quarterback play, stating on X, “NO MATTER HOW TALENTED YOU ARE, IF YOU DON’T LEAD WITH YOUR FEET YOU WILL MISS!!!”

Manning’s sidearm delivery against Ohio State was evident on several throws, particularly on crossing routes where he failed to align his feet properly. This led to inaccurate passes and a lower completion percentage (56.7%) than expected for a quarterback of his caliber. In contrast, his performance against San Jose State showed improvement, with a 63.3% completion rate and a career-high four touchdown passes. However, the grimaced throw to Wingo reignited concerns about his mechanics, even if no injury was present.

Proper quarterback mechanics involve aligning the feet, hips, and shoulders toward the target, allowing for a fluid, over-the-top throwing motion. Manning’s sidearm delivery, as noted by Sarkisian, may stem from anxious footwork under pressure, a common issue for young quarterbacks facing elite defenses like Ohio State’s. The San Jose State game, against a less formidable opponent, allowed Manning to settle into a more comfortable rhythm, but the grimaced throw suggests that his mechanics may still require refinement.

Sarkisian’s Coaching Philosophy and Player Development

Steve Sarkisian, known as one of college football’s top offensive minds, has a track record of developing quarterbacks, including Mac Jones at Alabama and Jake Locker at Washington. His offensive system emphasizes timing, precision, and adaptability, with a focus on quarterback footwork and decision-making. Sarkisian’s comments about Manning’s footwork indicate a hands-on approach to addressing mechanical issues, likely through film study, drills, and in-game adjustments.

Sarkisian’s dismissal of the throwing issue speculation also reflects his protective stance toward his players. By redirecting the conversation away from injury concerns and toward coaching points like footwork, he aims to shield Manning from external pressure while fostering his development. This approach is consistent with Sarkisian’s broader philosophy of building confidence in young quarterbacks, as seen in his work with Ewers, who overcame early struggles to become a first-round NFL draft pick.

However, Sarkisian’s system has faced criticism for its third-quarter struggles, as noted by former Longhorns cornerback Rod Babers. Babers argued that Texas’ offense has been among the worst in college football in the third quarter under Sarkisian, citing poor halftime adjustments. While this critique is not directly related to Manning’s throwing issues, it underscores the pressure on Sarkisian to optimize his offense, particularly with a high-profile quarterback like Manning at the helm.

Manning’s Role and Texas’ 2025 Season Outlook

Manning’s emergence as the starting quarterback marks a new chapter for Texas, which is coming off a 12-2 season and a CFP appearance in 2024. The Longhorns, ranked No. 7 in the AP poll entering the San Jose State game, are expected to contend for an SEC title and a CFP berth in 2025. Manning’s performance will be critical to achieving these goals, as Texas faces a challenging schedule that includes games against Michigan, Oklahoma, and Georgia.

The Ohio State loss exposed areas for improvement in Manning’s game, particularly his ability to handle pressure and maintain consistent mechanics. However, his strong performance against San Jose State demonstrates his potential to lead the offense effectively. With a talented supporting cast, including receivers like Ryan Wingo and running back Quintrevion Wisner, Manning has the tools to succeed in Sarkisian’s system. The key will be refining his footwork and decision-making to avoid the inconsistencies seen in the season opener.

Sarkisian’s decision to stick with Manning as the starter, despite earlier questions about a potential quarterback change, reflects confidence in his long-term potential. In October 2024, when asked about switching to Ewers during a game, Sarkisian dismissed the idea, stating, “I’m not even going to answer that.” This commitment to Manning suggests that Sarkisian views him as the future of the program, even as he navigates the growing pains of a first-year starter.

Addressing the Speculation: Injury or Mechanics?

The speculation about Manning’s throwing issues appears to be overblown, based on the available evidence. Both Manning and Sarkisian have denied any injury, and the grimaced throw to Wingo is more likely a momentary reaction than a sign of a chronic issue. Manning’s postgame comments emphasize his focus on execution rather than physical limitations, and Sarkisian’s explanation of footwork issues provides a plausible alternative to injury speculation.

However, the incident underscores the challenges of managing a high-profile player in the social media era. Platforms like X amplify isolated moments, creating narratives that can overshadow a player’s overall performance. For example, while Manning’s 295 yards and four touchdowns against San Jose State were a career high, the focus on a single throw highlights the disproportionate scrutiny he faces. Sarkisian’s humorous deflection of the question was an effective strategy to shift the narrative back to football, but it also highlights the need for ongoing communication to manage expectations around Manning.

Broader Implications for Texas Football

The speculation about Manning’s throwing issues is a microcosm of the broader challenges facing Texas football in 2025. As a program with national championship aspirations, Texas must balance the development of a young quarterback with the demands of a competitive SEC schedule. Manning’s growth will depend on his ability to adapt to Sarkisian’s coaching, improve his mechanics, and handle the pressure of being a high-profile starter.

The Longhorns’ offense, which averaged 437.5 yards and 33 points per game in 2024, has the potential to be elite, but it requires consistency from Manning. Addressing issues like third-quarter struggles and halftime adjustments, as noted by Babers, will be critical to maximizing the offense’s potential. Additionally, Texas must navigate the expectations surrounding Manning’s famous last name, which brings both opportunity and pressure.

Fan and Media Perspective

Texas fans, known as Longhorn Nation, are passionate and vocal, with high expectations for Manning given his recruiting pedigree and family legacy. The speculation about his throwing issues has sparked debate on platforms like X, with some fans defending his performance and others, like @SinCityRoto, criticizing his mechanics. This divide reflects the polarized nature of fan sentiment, particularly for a program with Texas’ storied history.

The media’s role in amplifying the speculation also underscores the challenges of covering a player like Manning. While reporters have a responsibility to ask questions about performance, Sarkisian’s response suggests frustration with speculative inquiries based on social media rather than direct evidence. Moving forward, both Texas and the media will need to navigate this dynamic carefully to avoid distractions from the team’s goals.

Steve Sarkisian’s dismissal of questions about Arch Manning’s throwing issues reflects a strategic effort to protect his young quarterback and refocus attention on development rather than speculation. The incident, sparked by a grimaced throw against San Jose State, highlights the challenges of managing public perception in the social media era. Manning’s performance in 2025 shows both promise and areas for improvement, particularly in his footwork and mechanics. Sarkisian’s coaching expertise and commitment to Manning’s growth position Texas to address these issues and build a competitive offense. As the Longhorns navigate a challenging season, the focus must remain on supporting Manning’s development while dismissing unfounded speculation, ensuring that Texas can achieve its championship aspirations in 2025.