Texas quarterback Arch Manning was finally asked about his former teammate and roomate becoming an archrival basically overnight, and hopefully Texas fans are paying attention.
Wide receiver Parker Livingstone over the offseason transferred across the Red River from Texas to the Oklahoma Sooners in a move that apparently blindsided Manning despite the close relationship.
“I was a little surprised, but Parker’s a good guy,” Manning said. “He’s got a good family. Obviously, we were roommates, so I wish him all the best. Can’t say I would have done the same thing, but wish him all the best. ... Except when we play them, I guess."
Arch Manning an example for Texas fans after Red River Rivalry transfer
. @kbohls asked Arch Manning if he's exchanged any angry texts with Parker Livingstone
— Cory Mose (@Cory_Mose) April 15, 2026
Arch said "nah" and told the media he called Parker while in Dallas last weekend
"Wish him all the best, can't say I would've done the same thing"#HookEm | #Texas pic.twitter.com/AxxnZY7yI1
Manning obviously doesn't agree with the outcome, but he admitted the two haven't exchanged any angry texts yet, but that could be coming the second week of October ahead of the Red River Rivalry. Manning, though, said he even called Livingstone just last weekend with plans to meet up in Dallas, proving there really aren't any hard feelings.
That could be further proof that the Transfer Portal has washed away rivalry hate between players, but it's also hard for Manning to resent Livingstone no matter where he ended up considering he was basically ran out of Austin.
"Never in a million years did I think I would be going into the portal looking for a new home," Livingstone wrote in his transfer announcement. "Some things are out of my control."
Read more: Parker Livingstone buzz is exploding and ESPN just confirmed it
Other than being rivals that play every year, Oklahoma was the next perfect fit for Livingstone. Not only did the Sooners originally recruit Livingstone out of high school in 2024, but Livingstone said this time around that OU was the only program that checked all his boxes as the closest College Football Playoff contender to his hometown of Lucas, Texas.
Despite Livingstone getting forced out and choosing what was best for him from the unwanted situation, Texas fans still harassed Livingstone on social media for the decision months later. It was already obvious that those Texas fans needed to move on, but now hopefully their own quarterback, at 21 years old, can be the example of how to handle the situation with some class.
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