Steve Sarkisian and the Texas Longhorns May Have Found Unexpected Quarterback Insurance for Arch Manning From the Most Unlikely Source
For months, the Texas Longhorns quarterback room has centered around one name: Arch Manning. The five-star phenom, grandson of Archie and nephew of Peyton and Eli, arrived in Austin with historic expectations and a surname that commands attention. With Quinn Ewers off to the NFL after the 2024 season, the transition to the Arch Manning era at Texas was supposed to be seamless—destined, even. But college football has a way of humbling even the most carefully constructed narratives, and Steve Sarkisian, ever the pragmatist beneath his West Coast offense flair, has quietly made sure he isn’t betting it all on Manning’s immediate superstardom.
The Longhorns may have just secured one of the most unexpected pieces of quarterback insurance in the country—a player whose name hardly sparks the buzz of the Manning brand but could prove to be one of Sarkisian’s most important offseason acquisitions. This insurance didn’t come from another blue-chip recruit or a headline-grabbing transfer from a Power Five program. Instead, it came from the kind of player often overlooked in the whirlwind of portal chaos: a Group of Five transfer with limited notoriety but legitimate upside. And while fans may scoff initially, the move reflects the kind of roster management savvy that separates top-tier coaches from the rest.
Enter Jordan McCloud, a name few outside of hardcore college football circles had on their radar. The former James Madison quarterback wasn’t on most wish lists for teams at the top of the college football pecking order. But Sarkisian and his staff didn’t need a star. They needed someone dependable. Someone experienced. Someone who wouldn’t flinch under the pressure of being one play away from leading one of the sport’s most high-profile programs into an SEC gauntlet. And in McCloud, they may have found exactly that.
McCloud’s journey has been anything but conventional. Starting his career at South Florida, then transferring to Arizona, and eventually finding his stride at JMU, McCloud has been through the ringer. Injuries, quarterback battles, coaching changes—he’s seen it all. And rather than fold, he’s developed a resilient edge that could prove invaluable in a backup role at Texas. At JMU, he emerged as a quietly efficient passer with a knack for keeping the offense on schedule and making plays with both his arm and legs. He helped the Dukes become one of the best Group of Five teams in the country, and his leadership helped steady the program through a period of rapid change.
What McCloud offers Texas isn’t flash; it’s security. He’s not going to compete with Manning for the starting job—at least not right away. But should Manning struggle, get injured, or simply need time to grow into the role, McCloud provides a legitimate alternative that doesn’t require burning a redshirt or throwing a true freshman into the fire. In a world where quarterback depth can make or break a season, Sarkisian has found a seasoned veteran who’s more than just a clipboard holder.
The move also sends a message: Texas is serious about not letting the Manning hype distract from the realities of roster building. Sarkisian knows that relying solely on one player, no matter how talented or famous, is a risky proposition in today’s college football landscape. The SEC doesn’t wait for development. It punishes mistakes and exploits inexperience. And as Texas prepares for its first full season in the nation’s toughest conference, every detail matters.
This isn’t the first time Sarkisian has made a quiet but significant quarterback addition. Even during his days at USC and Alabama, he was known for stockpiling talent while keeping locker rooms healthy and competitive. At Texas, that philosophy continues to evolve. McCloud fits that mold—a veteran who won’t disrupt the hierarchy but will elevate the floor of the quarterback room. And while Arch Manning’s ceiling is sky-high, it’s the floor that often determines whether a team survives the long grind of a season.
It’s also worth noting that McCloud’s arrival could actually benefit Manning in more ways than one. Having a seasoned voice in the film room, someone who has played in multiple systems and seen just about every defensive look imaginable, offers invaluable mentorship. Sarkisian’s system is notoriously demanding on quarterbacks, asking them to make quick decisions and process complex reads. For Manning, still learning the nuances of college defenses, McCloud could be a sounding board and stabilizing presence.
For the fans, the move might not stir the same excitement as a high-profile flip or five-star commitment. But for the coaching staff and players in the trenches, it’s a calculated, intelligent decision. It’s the type of move that reflects a program maturing—not just chasing headlines, but laying the groundwork for long-term success. Texas has been down the road of expectations and letdowns before. Sarkisian is trying to break that cycle.
There’s also the looming reality of the SEC schedule, which demands depth at every position. Injuries aren’t a possibility; they’re a guarantee. Texas will face defensive lines stacked with NFL talent, and every snap Manning takes will be scrutinized under a microscope. Having McCloud waiting in the wings—not as a savior, but as a stabilizer—could be the difference between a season unraveling and a season staying on course.
Beyond the X’s and O’s, McCloud brings a mature, team-first mindset that fits well with Sarkisian’s culture. Players like him, who have worked their way through adversity without the spotlight, tend to bring humility and hunger to the locker room. They’re not focused on NIL deals or social media followers; they’re focused on playing football. That mentality can quietly shift the dynamic of a quarterback room, especially one where all eyes are on a player like Manning.
For Arch Manning, the expectations remain enormous. He is, without question, the face of the future in Austin. But even Peyton had backups. Even Eli needed time. And for all the pressure and scrutiny that accompanies the Manning legacy, the best way to honor it might be through patience, preparation, and the kind of organizational awareness Sarkisian has just demonstrated.
The irony, of course, is that Texas fans may never actually see McCloud take a meaningful snap. That’s the hope, after all—that Manning ascends as expected, the offensive line holds, and the season unfolds without major incident. But in a sport defined by unpredictability, the value of having a ready option cannot be overstated. McCloud’s role might never show up in the box score, but his presence could shape the outcome of a game, or even a season.
In the long run, this move also reaffirms Sarkisian’s grasp of the bigger picture. He understands that Texas isn’t just building for 2025—it’s building for sustained success in the SEC era. That requires depth, humility, and yes, a bit of humility in scouting. It requires looking beyond the headlines and trusting your instincts as a coach. While fans debate whether Manning is ready to become the next Heisman contender, Sarkisian is quietly preparing for all scenarios. That’s what good coaches do.
So while it may not make national headlines, and while McCloud’s name might be buried behind the likes of Arch Manning in every preview magazine, don’t mistake obscurity for irrelevance. The Texas Longhorns may have just made one of their smartest offseason moves—and it came from the most unlikely place.
