Steve Sarkisian and the Texas Longhorns had Arch Manning, and probably didn’t see this day coming. Keeping up with the Manning hype proved to be too much for young Arch, and now the head coach is looking for alternatives in the long run. The Longhorns are now battling Texas Tech, Florida State (who had over 100 recruits on campus last Saturday when they upset Alabama 31-17), and 23 other programs, for this QB for the class of 2027. This weekend, he’s back in Austin, and the suspense around the athlete’s decision is only growing…

It’s Kavian Bryant, the player everyone’s circling as the next big domino in modern recruiting. Standing out at Palestine’s Westwood High School, Bryant has the rare mix of athleticism who feel comfortable both while rushing and passing on the gridiron and gliding down the basketball court. On3/Rivals VP Steve Wiltfong didn’t mince words when laying out the stakes and why UT could get the No. 1 QBs of the future.

“Tennessee, we’ve seen them land George MacIntyre, then turn around and land Faison Brandon. So there are some schools that have proven that they can land back-to-back elite recruit caliber guys on the trail. Texas, can they do it after getting Dia Bell? I have them trailing Texas Tech and Florida State coming into the weekend, based on what I know about the recruitment. But with that being said, there’s been a lot of love for Texas here.” That’s the catch.

Texas just landed Dia Bell in the 2026 class, and with the American Heritage QB now sidelined for the 2025 high school season due to injury, Sarkisian’s plan for life after Arch Manning is murkier. Kavian Bryant offers an obvious answer — a blue-chip, homegrown Texan who checks every box. Wiltfong added, “All things even, I think the Longhorns would have as good a chance as anybody, but we’ll see what the optics of this is with Texas already landing Bell last year. Modern recruiting and who’s willing to do more at that position based on what they’ve recruited in previous cycles and things of that nature.”

Unfortunately, chasing Bryant isn’t a one-lane road. Noles are a nuisance for Sarsky, especially after his trip to Tallahassee to watch Gus Malzahn’s offense light up Alabama. Seeing it firsthand clearly struck a chord. “It means a lot,” Bryant told 247Sports. “Gus [Malzahn] has done it before with Cam Newton, great players like that. Just being able to watch it in person felt right.” That kind of confidence isn’t lip service either. He followed it up by saying, “Very well. Like I said, Gus has dealt with quarterbacks that are my type of playing style.” That style — strong arms, quick legs, poised under pressure — is why he’s already holding 26 offers, with FSU and Tech, even Vanderbilt, Florida, Colorado, and other prominent programs pushing just as hard as the Longhorns.

Noles gave him an offer back in January, while Tech has been relentless in pitching him as their centerpiece. For Texas, though, there’s a unique urgency. Losing Bell’s senior season to injury and staring down Manning’s departure means they need a face of the future. Down in Palestine, he wears No. 4 on Friday nights. But everywhere else, he’s sitting at No. 1 — first in passing yards, first in his class, and first on every recruiting board that matters.

Steve Sarkisian “wants Kavian Bryant bad”

Steve Sarkisian and his staff aren’t playing coy when it comes to Kavian Bryant. The five-star QB admitted the Longhorns have been consistent and intentional in their pursuit. “It’s been good. They’re contacting, great relationships. Coach Sark, coach (AJ) Milwee, great relationships. Just trying to build a connection,” Bryant said. “They want me really bad so I’m gonna keep building the connection.”

That connection seems to be working. Bryant openly talked about how often he tunes in to Texas games, hinting at how natural the fit feels. “I watch them a lot. Their offense is pretty great and I feel like I can fit into it. They know who they’re coming for.”

In other words, Sark’s vision of his QB room clearly has Bryant circled in bold. After tossing the pill for 469 yards and four TDs on 26-for-34 passing (76 percent) in win over Mexia (Tex).