Arch Manning typically conducts himself with humility, but Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian said his quarterback shows a different side of his personality behind the scenes.
Sarkisian told reporters on Monday, as transcribed by On3's Tyler Horka, that Manning likes to trash-talk with Longhorns teammates. The 22-year-old has brought some energy to preseason practices ahead of his junior year.
"I think the team responds really well to Arch," Sarkisian said. "You know, I think Arch loves football. He loves to practice. He loves to work, and it's funny because Arch probably talks a little more (expletive) than people give him credit for outside of our building. So in practice, there's a good amount of banter that goes on, and now Arch has more confidence. He gives a little more of that banter. He gives a little more of that banter back."
"It's out of fun"
Sarkisian cited an example of Manning and Texas defensive end Colin Simmons playfully exchanging words during a practice. The nephew of Peyton and Eli Manning doesn't appear to be ruffling any feathers by chirping at his teammates.
"He and Colin were getting into it today about a screen play, and it was all out of fun," Sarkisian recalled. "It's nothing out of, like, negative. It's out of fun, but you can see that they're loving practice. They're loving to practice, and I think that starts when your quarterback loves practice, when he's having fun being out there, and you can feel those guys responding that way."
Sarkisian named Manning, Simmons, and offensive tackle Trevor Goosby among the Longhorns' key locker room leaders returning to the team in 2026. He highlighted the importance of those players backing up their talk.
"Your leaders right now are not letting their actions betray their words and the way they conduct themselves, the way they go about their business in practice, the way they carry themselves off the field," Sarkisian said. "I think they set a great example for our younger players and our new faces. And then when they feel comfortable enough to check a player for who’s not doing right, they’ve earned that respect and they’ve earned that right to say that at that moment."
