The Longhorns are riding high after a historic season. A grueling 16-game slate, an SEC title game appearance, and back-to-back trips to the CFP—all capped by a No. 3 finish in the US LBM Coaches Poll. Now, it’s Arch Manning’s time. The former No. 1 recruit steps out of the shadows and into the spotlight. After 2 years of waiting, he’s ready to lead. However, Manning showed flashes last season—939 yards, nine TDs, just 2 picks. He’s calm, poised, and electric. Behind him, talented freshman Trey Owens is likely QB2. And K.J. Lacey may redshirt. So, the Longhorns have their star; now they need depth.
Given the recent shake-up in the quarterback room in Austin—which is great news for Texas—the Longhorns made a significant addition from the transfer portal in a surprise Sunday announcement. Head coach Steve Sarkisian pulled off a 1,600-yard power move, bringing in a seasoned arm to back up Arch Manning. It’s a savvy play. Experience. Depth. Insurance. All in one. Simply put, the newcomer has a solid resume and adds instant intrigue to the QB battle. So, with the 2025 season looming, Texas just got stronger and smarter under center.
On May 5th, 247Sports’ Matt Zenitz broke the news—Texas just added a veteran arm. The name? Matthew Caldwell. Now, the former Troy quarterback is heading to the Forty Acres. And he’s bringing experience in bulk. Caldwell lit it up in 2024 and now enters his fifth college season. At 6 feet 4 inches and 212 pounds, the Alabama native has size, poise, and a cannon. He’s already suited up for Jackson State, Gardner-Webb, and Troy Trojans. A true journeyman. With 485 career pass attempts, he’s thrown nearly five times more passes than anyone else in the Texas QB room. So, Sark didn’t just add depth—he added a leader.
One of the things on the spring portal checklist for Texas had been to add a veteran reserve piece to its QB room. Now, that’s been taken care of.
More here on new Texas QB Matthew Caldwell, who had been of interest for other high-end programs as well.https://t.co/0d1vo4PLIb pic.twitter.com/nx9NRmNbok
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) May 4, 2025
Well, midway through 2024, Matthew Caldwell took the reins at Troy—and never looked back. He started the final 5 games, showing grit, leadership, and poise under pressure. Now, he’s bringing that momentum to Austin. Adjusting to a new stage and the demands of the SEC won’t be easy, but Caldwell’s late-season surge could be his edge. He’s battle-tested. Calm in chaos. And ready to compete. As Texas gears up for a high-stakes 2025, one big question looms: How does a proven winner like Caldwell fit into Sarkisian’s plan? The answer could shape the season.
Under Steve Sarkisian, backup quarterbacks haven’t just held clipboards —they’ve played. Every year, injuries have forced the next man up. That’s why depth matters. Before Caldwell’s arrival, Arch Manning was the only QB in AJ Milwee’s room with a college pass to his name. Enter Matthew Caldwell—the seasoned vet. He brings reps, resolve, and real game tape. Now, he’ll battle with redshirt freshman Trey Owens and true freshman KJ Lacey for the No. 2 spot. It’s a loaded room. And in Texas, the backup job is never just a backup plan.
However, this QB addition didn’t just raise eyebrows—it shook the college football world. The move left fans and analysts puzzled. Why bring in a veteran backup now? What’s Sark cooking in Austin? And to add more fuel to the fire, for the first time since 2002, a Texas HC is heading into Year Five. That’s rare air. Sure, there’s a reason it’s been over 20 years since someone last lasted this long on the Forty Acres. But now, expectations are sky-high, and pressure is real. And Sarkisian’s bold moves show he’s all in for 2025.
Look, Mack Brown broke the mold, lasting 11 more seasons after 2002, with two Big 12 titles and a national crown. Since then, no Texas coach has seen Year Five. However, Charlie Strong and Tom Herman? Both gone after four. Now, Sarkisian joins rare company—only the ninth coach in Texas history to reach a fifth season. But now, his decision to add a veteran QB to back up Manning didn’t leave fans silent.
Is Arch Manning’s starting job suddenly in question?
The addition of Matthew Caldwell sure brings a fresh wave of experience to the Longhorns’ QB room. While Arch Manning is the star of the show, Caldwell’s recent starting experience in the FBS is a valuable asset. It’s more than just depth—it’s smart insurance. As one fan put it, stating, “Probably just insurance in the unlikely event we lose both Arch and Trey to injury.” Honestly, it’s a safety net with a touch of competition.
Not all CFB fans see Texas’ QB situation through the same lens. For some, the current QB room is already a big play in the making. Arch Manning showed his dual-threat potential with 108 rushing yards, 4 rushing TDs, and 1,047 total yards, earning SEC Freshman of the Week and the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award honors. Behind him, Trey Owens impressed during the 2024 Orange-White Spring Game, completing 14 of 21 passes for 228 yards and 3 TDs, leading his team to a tight 35–34 win. Then there is KJ Lacey, a highly touted QB from Saraland High School in Alabama. As a four-star QB, Lacey lit up his senior season with 3,042 yards and 40 TDs, leading his team to the Alabama 6A State Championship game. So, a proven weapon with a track record to match.
Yet, despite these promising performances, Sarkisian still opted for a seasoned veteran as backup. As one fan put it best, saying, “Yikes…Texas probably not confident Trey Owens will stay…and freshman QB is too green as backup for Arch. So Texas needed more experienced college QB as backup.” So why, with solid QB depth already in place, did Texas still sign Matthew Caldwell?
That move raised eyebrows, and fans weren’t quiet. Considering Caldwell’s impressive 2024 performance at Troy—1,608 passing yards and 13 touchdowns, suggesting he could have been their starting quarterback—one fan questioned his decision to transfer to Texas as a backup. “Why go to Texas to be a backup?” Maybe it’s to learn under one of the best QB coaches in the game.
While everyone’s focused on QB depth, some fans can’t help but turn their attention to Arch Manning’s future. This will be his first season as the full-time starter, even though he stepped in during Quinn Ewers‘ absence in 2024. But let’s not forget, Matthew Caldwell already has starting experience at Troy. That’s caused a stir. One fan bluntly asked, “Wow, is Arch’s job in trouble?” Another fan added some sarcasm, saying, “Arch replacement already 
.” It’s a bold statement, hinting that Arch’s QB1 spot could become more competitive—and possibly in jeopardy if an injury strikes or Manning gets outperformed.
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