Arch Manning and Texas shaken by the transfer portal

Arch Manning is preparing to lead the next chapter for the Longhorns, but DeAndre Moore Jr.’s decision to enter the transfer portal left the program on edge. The receiver, second on the team’s leaderboard, chose to explore new options, and his departure comes at a delicate moment for Texas.

The team’s uneven season had already raised doubts, and now losing Moore means Manning no longer has a reliable target with whom he was building chemistry.

Offensive impact

Arch Manning found in Moore a partner who boosted the accuracy of the passing game. The receiver shined against Sam Houston State, recording 79 yards on five catches.

NEW: Texas WR DeAndre Moore plans to enter the NCAA transfer portal.

Moore totaled 532 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns this season. https://t.co/GLhEzAC926 pic.twitter.com/yebGgSR7ym

— On3 (@On3sports) December 22, 2025

He also helped the quarterback become the first in Texas history to score passing, rushing, and receiving touchdowns in one game. Moore leaves with 77 receptions, 988 yards, and 11 touchdowns, numbers that highlight what Arch Manning loses at a crucial stage of his development.

The portal context

Arch Manning isn’t the only one affected by portal moves. Byrum Brown, a historic USF quarterback, also announced his exit after producing more than 9,900 offensive yards and 91 touchdowns in four seasons. His decision, tied to Alex Golesh’s arrival at Auburn, makes him an immediate target for the Tigers.

According to Essentiallysports, the transfer wave is also hitting programs like South Carolina, Oklahoma, and Florida, stripping them of both young talent and veterans in an increasingly competitive market.

A new challenge

Arch Manning must now adapt quickly to a lineup without Moore and with more pressure on his shoulders. The Longhorns’ offense will need to reinvent itself to keep pace in a demanding conference, while the portal becomes a battleground for replacements.

The challenge for Arch Manning is to prove he can lead despite the losses and solidify his role as the face of Texas football’s future. Losing a key partner doesn’t change expectations: the young quarterback remains the centerpiece of the project.