After offseason foot surgery and a season full of lessons, Arch Manning says he feels 100% and believes his best football is still ahead of him.
Arch Manning spent the offseason getting his foot right. Now he says he is ready to prove last season was just the beginning.
Manning underwent foot surgery after the season and has been eased back into spring practice, but the Texas quarterback made clear Wednesday to ESPN's Dave Wilson that the recovery is behind him.
"I feel 100% right now," Manning said. "We're kind of taking it slow, but if we had a game today, I'd be playing."
Coach Steve Sarkisian has used Manning's absence in spring to get backup quarterbacks K.J. Lacey and Dia Bell meaningful reps. Manning is not expected to play in Saturday's open practice for fans, with Sarkisian targeting June for a full return.
The time away has given Manning a chance to reflect on a season that had as many highs as it did frustrations. Texas opened 2025 as the preseason No. 1 but never found its footing early, dropping road games to Ohio State, Florida and Georgia. Manning admitted he got in his own way.
"I think I could have had more fun. The first half of the season, I was pissed," Manning said. "I wasn't playing well and it wasn't fun for me. And then I kind of sort of said screw it and had a little more fun and started winning some games."
A tight win over Kentucky served as the turning point. The offense gathered, cleared the air and never looked back. Manning finished the year throwing for 3,163 yards with 26 touchdowns and seven interceptions, capping it with a Citrus Bowl MVP performance against Michigan that included a 60-yard touchdown run.
Now the pieces around him are better than ever. Texas added running backs Raleek Brown and Hollywood Smothers this offseason along with Cam Coleman, the No. 1-ranked wide receiver in the 247Sports transfer portal rankings.
"He's an elite player and he wants to be good, which is the most encouraging thing," Manning said of Coleman.
The schedule sets up for a statement moment early. Texas hosts Ohio State on Sept. 12 in a rematch of last year's loss, and Manning has not forgotten how that game went.
"I didn't play well in that game," Manning said. "I'm glad we get another shot at them this year."