Who is Arch Manning's backup? What to know about Texas QB KJ Lacey Jr.

Arch Manning began his second season as Texas’ starting quarterback with a fast start, highlighted by leading the Longhorns to a fourth-quarter comeback victory over Ohio State in Week 2.

His performance against the Buckeyes, which included directing three fourth-quarter touchdown drives, propelled the 6-foot-4 playmaker up the Heisman Trophy odds board and appeared to validate the lofty expectations that have followed him as a member of one of football’s famous families.

Since then, however, that momentum has stalled. Costly fourth-quarter turnovers by Manning contributed to Texas’ second-half collapses against Oklahoma and Florida, leading to increased scrutiny in Austin and sparking questions about whether the Longhorns would consider a change at quarterback.

Manning, despite his three turnovers in the fourth quarter over the last two weeks, has an impressive 14-5 record as Texas’ full-time starter, including a 6-2 record against top-ranked opponents.

That said, with Steve Sarkisian saying he’ll “evaluate everything” of the offense after the Florida loss, here’s what to know about who Manning’s backup is, should the Longhorns make a change under center:

Who is Texas football’s backup QB?

Texas’ backup quarterback is KJ Lacey Jr., a sophomore gunslinger who hails from Saraland, Alabama.

As previously noted by USA TODAY High School Sports, Lacey began his high school career at Daphne (AL), where he played six games as a freshman, before transferring to Saraland (AL) and teaming up with future Alabama star wide receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams.

He chose Texas over the likes of Alabama, Oregon, Auburn and others.

As Manning’s backup last season, Lacey Jr. appeared in just one game against Sam Houston State, where he completed one pass for seven yards.

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Texas backup QB KJ Lacey reps

ESPN reported on Oct. 19 that Lacey Jr. would see an increase in first-team reps with the offense as the Longhorns struggle offensively. Sarkisian, speaking to reporters on Monday after that report, said Lacey Jr. didn’t get more first-team reps than he normally does in a given week.

KJ Lacey stats

Below is a look at Lacey Jr.’s stats this season for Texas:

• vs. Texas State: 6-of-7 (85.7%) passing for 55 yards
• vs. UTSA: 1-of-1 (100%) passing for eight yards

KJ Lacey 247 rankings

• Stars: Four-star
• Positional ranking: No. 19

247Sports’ Composite Rankings listed Lacey Jr. as a four-star recruit and the No. 19-ranked quarterback in the 2025 recruiting class.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who is Arch Manning’s backup? What to know about Texas QB KJ Lacey Jr.