As Texas continues fall camp, the Longhorns’ second scrimmage has helped answer plenty of questions about the roster, but one big doubt remains: who will back Arch Manning if and when the 2024 season requires him to sit?
Manning is widely viewed as the quarterback of the present and the future in Austin, especially with Quinn Ewers pursuing the next chapter of his career. But while Manning is expected to be the starter, the identity of the backup is still up in the air.
Texas appears to have three viable options behind Manning: Trey Owens, Matthew Caldwell, and KJ Lacey. Each brings a different path to the role, and all have shown encouraging moments in fall camp.
Matthew Caldwell stands out for experience. The senior transfer has already logged time at several programs. He began at Jacksonville State, where limited playing time led him to transfer to Gardner-Webb for two seasons. In that stretch, he accumulated 1,314 passing yards with eight touchdowns and six interceptions. He then moved to Troy University, where last season he appeared in nine games, throwing for 1,608 yards and 13 touchdowns with eight interceptions. Caldwell’s cross-program exposure could give him a leg up in understanding the playbook and delivering a steady command of the offense. With this being his final college season, Caldwell is motivated to maximize his opportunities in camp.
Trey Owens brings a different ceiling. The Cypress, Texas, native arrived as a four-star quarterback ranked No. 20 at his position in the 2026 class. Owens was part of a crowded in-state recruitment, with Texas, Baylor, SMU, Texas Tech, and Rice all in the mix. He spent last year in limited action for Texas, attempting four passes and completing two for 19 yards. Owens’ talent and potential spark excitement about what he could become with more reps, especially if the lighting-fast pace of fall camp helps him close the gap on the more experienced Caldwell.
KJ Lacey is the youngest name in the room, entering as a true freshman from Alabama. A four-star prospect who was ranked as high as the No. 4 quarterback in the class by Rivals, Lacey is expected to spend his early college days learning the system and preserving his eligibility, possibly redshirting this season. His arrival adds another tantalizing dimension to Texas’ quarterback pipeline, and his development could position him as a future successor or contingency option in the coming years.
The quarterback depth chart at Texas is still taking shape. While Manning’s early establishment as starter seems likely, the decision on who backs him up could hinge on how Caldwell handles the playbook under pressure, whether Owens can translate his high school pedigree into practical game-day execution in college, and how quickly Lacey acclimates to the college speed if he sees the field in year one.
Additionally, the long view matters. The presence of a potential redshirt from Lacey and the ongoing development of incoming players like Dia Bell, who arrives next year as another highly regarded signal-caller, suggests Texas is building not just for the 2024 season but for sustained quarterback depth in the years ahead. The competition in Austin is likely to continue to sharpen whoever ends up as Manning’s primary understudy, keeping the room competitive and motivated.
Summary: Texas’ fall camp has clarified several roster questions, but the backup quarterback spot behind Arch Manning remains unsettled. Caldwell’s experience gives him an edge, Owens offers high upside and a pro-ready pedigree, and Lacey represents a future talent who could grow into a major role down the line. The arrival of Dia Bell next year could add even more competition, ensuring Texas maintains a deep, capable quarterback room as Manning leads the offense.
A hopeful note: Texas’ quarterback depth is shaped by a blend of mature experience and high-ceiling talent. If Caldwell proves steady, Owens continues to develop, and Lacey makes the most of his early college chances, the Longhorns could enjoy robust quarterback competition for the foreseeable future—benefiting the offense and the program as a whole.