No. 19 Texas is giving redshirt freshman quarterback KJ Lacey Jr. more first-team practice reps this week, sources told ESPN's Pete Thamel.
Head coach Steve Sarkisian said Arch Manning will remain the starting quarterback but needs to demonstrate improvement in Saturday's game against No. 7 Ole Miss.
"We need to see a better version of Arch Manning this week," Sarkisian said Monday, according to Horns247's David Eckert.
The coach wouldn't confirm whether Lacey would get more reps with the starting unit. "We'll find out as the week goes," Sarkisian said, per Orangebloods' Anwar Richardson.
Sarkisian hinted at potentially benching Manning after Saturday's 27-24 loss to Florida, saying: "Everything's going to be evaluated."
The Longhorns have fallen to 4-2 with consecutive losses. Manning went 14-for-20 for 173 passing yards and one touchdown against the Gators. He was sacked five times and fumbled with under two minutes remaining.
Manning has completed 63.9% of his pass attempts for 1,295 yards, 11 touchdowns, and five interceptions in six games this season. Texas ranks 93rd in the nation in yards per game (361.3) and 64th in scoring offense (30.2 points per game).
Arch is the grandson of Archie Manning and the nephew of Peyton Manning and Eli Manning. He entered the campaign as the projected No. 1 pick in the 2027 NFL Draft.
Lacey has appeared in two games this season against Texas State and UTSA. He's 7-for-8 for 63 yards. He was named Alabama's "Mr. Football" in 2024.
