“Quinn Ewers’ Playoff Push: A Final Texas Hurrah or Prelude to a New Chapter?”
In a season that has electrified college football fans, Quinn Ewers has steered the Texas Longhorns to the quarterfinals of the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff.
The junior quarterback, hailing from Southlake, Texas, has proven to be the linchpin of Steve Sarkisian’s offense.
After dispatching the Clemson Tigers 38-24 in the opening round, the Longhorns now prepare to take on the Arizona State Sun Devils in the Peach Bowl. For Ewers, this playoff run may very well mark the conclusion of his time in burnt orange.
Ewers, widely projected to declare for the 2025 NFL Draft, is at the center of a brewing quarterback saga in Austin. Behind him waits Arch Manning, the highly-touted redshirt freshman and heir apparent to the Longhorns’ starting job.
ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. recently weighed in on the situation, asserting, “Arch Manning is going to be the quarterback at Texas next year.
If [Ewers] wants to play college football, he probably has to move on somewhere.”
The Transition Looms
Arch Manning, the latest star from the illustrious Manning family, has been quietly making his presence felt.
While his snaps this season have been limited, the young quarterback has begun to integrate into Texas’s game plans, even scoring the opening touchdown in the Longhorns’ November 30 win over Texas A&M.
His growth and maturity over the past two years have not gone unnoticed by Ewers, who recently offered praise for his potential successor.
“Yeah, I think over the past two years, [Manning has] definitely grown and matured for sure to be able to be successful at Texas,” Ewers said when asked about the looming transition.
Despite the praise, the situation sets up a crossroads for Ewers. If he decides to forego the NFL Draft and return to college football in 2025, he may face a tough decision about his future at Texas.
With Manning poised to take over, Ewers could explore transfer options to continue his college career as a starter elsewhere.
A Legacy in the Making
Ewers’ contributions to Texas have been undeniable. After transferring from Ohio State, he solidified himself as Sarkisian’s go-to quarterback, leading the Longhorns back into the national spotlight.
This season has only cemented his legacy as one of the program’s key figures in its recent resurgence.
As Texas battles Arizona State in the Peach Bowl, fans will watch eagerly, knowing they may be witnessing the final chapter of Ewers’ college career.
Whether he exits for the NFL or seeks a new opportunity in the transfer portal, his impact on Texas football will endure.
The Manning Era Awaits
Should Ewers depart, the Longhorns appear well-positioned to transition seamlessly into the Arch Manning era.
With his pedigree, work ethic, and growing experience, Manning is poised to continue Texas’s rise as a college football powerhouse. For now, though, the focus remains on Ewers and the Longhorns’ playoff journey.
Will Ewers end his Texas tenure with a championship, or will the Peach Bowl signal the end of his collegiate career?
Either way, the quarterback room in Austin is in for an exciting transformation, and the Longhorns’ future looks as bright as ever.
