Texas fans might have noticed the absence of Longhorns representation in the leaked images from EA Sports’ College Football 26 cover photoshoot. Coach Steve Sarkisian clarified that this was a conscious decision on his and Arch Manning’s part.
Last month, images emerged showcasing the Deluxe Edition cover for College Football 26, featuring notable players like Jalen Milroe, Carson Beck, and Jeremiah Smith gathered at the iconic Rose Bowl. The photoshoot also included high-profile coaches such as Ryan Day, Kirby Smart, James Franklin, and Lane Kiffin, all smiling together in a group photo that captured the excitement of the upcoming video game.
During a recent talk at the Houston TD Club, Sarkisian revealed that both he and the highly-touted freshman quarterback, Arch Manning, chose not to attend the event. This decision comes on the heels of a remarkable season for the Texas program, which boasted an impressive 11-1 record and reached the SEC Championship Game. After falling to Georgia, the Longhorns demonstrated their resilience by advancing to the College Football Playoff semifinals, achieving key victories over Clemson and Arizona State, before ultimately being eliminated by Ohio State.
Manning certainly showcased his potential when he stepped in for an injured Quinn Ewers during a game in September, leaving fans eager to see what he will bring to the field in the future. With Manning widely regarded as one of college football’s rising stars, some fans might have expected him to make an appearance at the photoshoot, but inexperience does not seem to be a limiting factor, especially when Michigan’s true freshman, Bryce Underwood, was present.
Interestingly, last year, Manning skipped out on the cover of College Football 25 but later changed his mind, endorsing the revamped game and appearing in a commercial to promote it. Fast forward to this year, and one can’t help but wonder if Manning could become a top candidate for the cover of next year’s edition, especially with Sarkisian looking ahead to the future of the program.
As it stands, Sarkisian is hopeful that Manning will face a challenging decision this coming winter. “I hope he’s got a really hard decision to make around January 21,” he said. “That means we played a long time. That means he played a really good season. And that means he’s trying to figure out, ‘Do I want one more year in the burnt orange, or is it time to go to the NFL?’ I hope it’s a really hard decision. I hope it’s not a no-brainer to come back to school.” This perspective underscores Sarkisian’s ambitions not only for Manning’s growth as a player but for the Longhorns’ trajectory as they aim for continued success on the national stage.
