By the time Texas football Coach Steve Sarkisian made it to the microphone, accompanied by the playing of Texas A&M's "Aggie War Hymn," a crowd was gathering.

It was his first big event as the starting quarterback for the Texas Longhorns and Arch Manning handled the pressure like a seasoned veteran.

Texas Longhorns safety Michael Taaffe wore a special tie to this year’s SEC media days event honoring the flooding victims of Camp Mystic. The burnt orange tie had 27 sets of initials honoring the campers and counselors from Camp Mystic who tragically lost their lives in the flooding on the fourth

Texas quarterback Arch Manning admits that being the backup was tough after playing every year in high school.

The tragic flood in Central Texas was on the minds of the Longhorns that traveled to Atlanta for the SEC Media Days.

SEC Media Days continued on Tuesday with four College Football Playoff hopefuls headlining the event. Texas and Georgia competed in the SEC Championship Game last season, while Tennessee and Auburn believe they have the rosters to make an appearance in Atlanta this year.

Widely viewed as the No. 1 prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft, Arch Manning said he's "just focused" on the 2025 season when he was asked about entering the draft next year at SEC Media Days.

Texas A&M coach Mike Elko and his three player representatives, junior linebacker Taurean York, senior guard Ar'maj Reed-Adams, and senior cornerback Will Lee III, will speak on Thursday during this week's SEC media days, taking place in Atlanta, Georgia.