Longhorns QB KJ Lacey Gets NFL Comparison From Steve Sarkisian

Arch Manning owns the spotlight at Texas, but KJ Lacey is quietly becoming one of the most important players on Steve Sarkisian’s roster.

After spending his freshman season buried at fourth on the Longhorns’ quarterback depth chart, Lacey has climbed past Matthew Caldwell and Trey Owens to secure the No. 2 job behind Manning.

MORE: Arch Manning Turns ‘Flop’ Label Into Texas Championship Fuel

His strong spring performance didn’t just earn him more practice repetitions. It also produced a comparison that’s nearly impossible to ignore.

Sarkisian said Lacey possesses several traits that remind him of Bryce Young, the former Alabama quarterback who won the 2021 Heisman Trophy.

That’s serious praise from a coach who worked directly with Young as Alabama’s offensive coordinator.

“I hate comparing guys because it’s never fair, but he’s got a lot of qualities that remind me of Bryce Young,” Sarkisian said at SEC Media Days.

Nobody should expect Lacey to suddenly become a Heisman winner before he’s made a meaningful college start.

Still, the comparison offers a glimpse into why Texas believes it has another potential star waiting behind Manning.

Lacey arrived in Austin with an impressive recruiting resume.

The Mobile, Alabama, product held offers from Alabama, Miami, Auburn, Oregon, Tennessee, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Louisville and Colorado.

He also won Alabama Mr. Football following a spectacular 2024 high school season.

Texas won that recruiting fight before Lacey became a nationally recognized name.

In a social media post, Lacey explained that the Longhorns separated themselves by believing in his development early and offering more than a chance to collect victories.

He bought into the program’s culture, relationships and championship expectations.

That commitment appears to be paying off.

Texas wide receiver Ryan Wingo has already noticed Lacey beginning to take ownership behind the scenes.

Wingo revealed that Lacey contacted him to organize a throwing session, a small but meaningful sign that the young quarterback isn’t waiting for Manning’s departure to start acting like a leader.

“Them boys gonna be good. KJ and Dia,” Wingo said. “I was actually throwing with KJ yesterday. That leadership thing. He hit me up to go throw, so he’s kinda putting that out there off the rip.”

The backup quarterback can feel irrelevant until everything changes in one snap.

Injuries, lopsided games and unexpected circumstances regularly force contenders to reach deeper into the depth chart.

That’s why Lacey’s development matters now.

MORE: ESPN FPI Says Texas Can Run the Table Against a Brutal Schedule

Manning remains the face of Texas football, but Lacey’s spring surge gives Sarkisian a potentially dangerous insurance policy.

And after invoking Bryce Young’s name, the Texas coach has ensured nobody will be overlooking his new No. 2 quarterback again.