Arch Manning Has 'Grown Up Before Our Eyes,' Texas' Sarkisian Says After Win vs. Vandy

No. 22 Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian was impressed with Arch Manning's progress throughout the 2025 season following a 34-31 win over No. 9 Vanderbilt on Saturday.

"He's really grown up before our eyes," Sarkisian told reporters after the game. "He's making great decisions. He's throwing the ball accurately. That's why you're 7-of-11 on third down. I think at one point, he completed 18 of 19 passes. So, very proud of him. It's been a long year, he's been through a lot. So for him to have some of the success he's having right now, he deserves it."

Sarkisian added: "This was the best protection [Manning has] gotten all year. I thought Arch, to his credit, helped them. He did some things in protection to pick some things up to allow us to throw it down the field, but it allowed him to get through reads."

Manning was sharp in the win, finishing 25-of-33 for 328 yards and three touchdowns without committing a turnover. His average of 9.9 yards per attempt was his second-highest mark of the season.

He helped the Longhorns score 34 points against a Commodores squad that owned the SEC's No. 6 scoring defense heading into the contest, allowing a mere 18.8 points per game.

Manning's performance was particularly impressive considering he was listed as questionable for the game earlier in the week due to a concussion, but was cleared on Friday.

The 21-year-old didn't begin his 2025 campaign on a high note, as he was picked off in each of Texas' first three games of the year while completing just 55.3 percent of his throws over that span.

Manning has fared much better recently, as he entered Saturday's action coming off a win over Mississippi State in which he threw for 346 yards and three touchdowns compared to one interception.

As Texas improved to 7-2 while looking to climb back up the SEC standings, Manning's recent success is an encouraging sign moving forward.

"I'm proud of the way we're playing," Manning told reporters. "The Dawgs at their place is going to be no joke. We've got to continue to get better."