Parker Livingstone's commitment to the Sooners after two years in Austin was a surprise to most, including his former quarterback and roommate Arch Manning.
When Arch Manning sat down for this week's media availability as spring practices wind to a close, he knew a question would inevitably arise discussing Parker Livingstone, his former wide receiver target and roommate.
Manning offered a cordial, PR-safe response, but some find there to be an underlying tone of pettiness or a slight hint of frustration behind the topic.
Livingstone transferred from the Texas Longhorns to the Oklahoma Sooners, his previous school's heated rival, this offseason. He's now on the other side of the storied Red River Rivalry that plays annually at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas midseason.
The wideout cited "a long story" and "a business decision" in justifying his move across state lines, and now we've heard Manning's reaction.
"I was a little surprised," Manning said about his roommate as he laughed off a question about whether he'd sent any angry texts Livingstone's way. "Parker's a good guy, he's got a good family. Obviously, we were roommates, so I wish him all the best.
"Can't say I would've done the same thing, but wish him all the best," Manning added, coolly shrugging it off with a smile, but offering enough contradiction to let the media run with a narrative of discontent.
"All the best?" poked a curious reporter.
Arch clarified: "I mean yeah, except when we play them, I guess."
The initial reaction would naturally be shock for anyone hearing the news of Livingstone's transfer. A Texas-born recruit spends two years with the Longhorns, then finds it in his best interest to disregard any hatred that might've accumulated on the Forty Acres and transfer into the program that his old team disliked the most.
Livingstone appeared in just four games as a true freshman in 2024 when Quinn Ewers commanded the Texas offense. Last year, with Manning calling the shots, Livingstone connected with his roommate for 516 yards on 29 receptions, six of which went for touchdowns.
For Texas fans, one can hope that this fuels Manning's motivation to attack his redshirt junior season similarly to his end-of-season stretch in 2025, when he looked like the Heisman candidate many cracked him up to be last preseason.
Manning will have a new favorite target to look for downfield in Auburn transfer Cam Coleman, who has wowed reporters in early workouts.
The Red River Rivalry often doesn't need an introduction when it arrives each October, but this story is one of the many plots that will be closely followed.
