Report: Texas QB Arch Manning out of boot, will be limited this spring

Texas quarterback Arch Manning is no longer wearing a boot and is expected to be available for spring practice in a limited capacity after undergoing minor foot surgery in January, according to an ESPN report.

"He had a lingering thing that he'd been dealing with over a couple of years that we just wanted to clean up," Texas coach Steve Sarkisian told ESPN. "It wasn't a serious issue at all. It takes time. You do a procedure on a foot, we're going to be cautious to make sure he's 100% healthy before he goes."

Manning, the No. 1 overall recruit in the 2023 class and the nephew of Peyton and Eli Manning, took over as the Longhorns' starter last offseason with plenty of weight on his shoulders, leading the top-ranked team in the preseason AP poll and being trumpeted as the likely No. 1 overall pick in this year's NFL Draft.

After some early growing pains, Manning came into his own down the stretch of the 2025 season. With 14 touchdown passes, five rushing touchdowns and two interceptions in his final six games, he finished his first season as a starter completing 61.4% of his passes for 3,103 yards, 36 total touchdowns (26 passing, 10 rushing) and seven interceptions in 13 games.

"I think he gained a lot of confidence in the second half of the season, and I think we learned about him, he learned his style of play, and he came back with a really good mindset. This is his team," Sarkisian told ESPN of Manning " ... In the end, naturally, he wants to go win a championship. The rest of the things will fall into place, but that's where his mindset is. He's the ultimate team player, and it shows every day."

Texas opens the 2026 season at home on Sept. 5 against Texas State.

--Field Level Media