Quinn Ewers, Texas football ready for second CFP appearance, Clemson

Earlier this week, Texas junior Quinn Ewers was asked a series of direct questions.

Playing quarterback at Texas was everything you thought it would be, for better or for worse?

“If you look at it that way, as a child you only think about the good,” Ewers replied. “But that’s just life. Things come your way, you just have to keep going. It was definitely fun.”

What was the best and what was the worst?

“Most pleasant? I would say just getting to know all these guys from different demographics, just getting their stories and just getting to know guys from all over the country. I mean, football gave me the opportunity to get to know them.” “Without this team and without football, I wouldn’t have been able to build the relationships that I’ve built over the last three years.”

And the worst?

“Man, it was all just a learning experience and nothing was really particularly bad for me. It was all a good time.”

Whether he was being humble or just telling the truth, these answers didn’t tell the full story of Ewers’ three years on campus in Texas. It was definitely fun to win road games in front of 100,000 fans at Texas A&M, Michigan and Alabama. As did the two-time victory over Oklahoma. It must have been fun leading Texas to its first two College Football Playoff appearances, and you can’t overlook a standout performance in the 2023 Big 12 Championship Game or his eventual finish behind Colt McCoy, Sam Ehlinger and Major Applewhite at UT’s All -Time passing chart (and Ewers only needs 33 yards to pass Applewhite). Becoming a NIL figurehead was certainly a nice bonus.

On the other hand, injuries have been a problem for Ewers throughout his college career. There was constant criticism of his play and he was temporarily substituted during a high-profile game against Georgia that season. The world’s most popular backup quarterback – redshirt freshman Arch Manning – has only added fuel to the fire.

However, Ewers will have a say in whether his potentially final chapter in Texas has a happy or disappointing ending. Texas and its third-year starting quarterback will open its College Football Playoff run at home against Clemson on Saturday.

Is it actually Quinn Ewers in Texas?

To be clear, Ewers has not said he will not return to Texas in 2025. It was assumed he would leave Texas after last season and head to the NFL. But 10 days after UT lost to Washington in the Sugar Bowl, Ewers took to social media to announce he would return to lead the Longhorns.

On Monday, Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said Ewers had not communicated his plans to his coach. However, this was not unusual. Texas is preparing for the playoffs and Sarkisian said he also hasn’t spoken to presumptive first-round pick Kelvin Banks Jr. about his future.

Three days later, Sarkisian had a heated conversation with a reporter after being asked to reflect on Ewers’ career. When the question was initially asked in language that assumed Ewers would not return to Texas in 2025, Sarkisian repeatedly said he would not comment hypothetically. Only after the question was rephrased would Sarkisian provide an answer.

“I was really proud of the impact he had on our program,” Sarkisian said. “He continues to perform in moments that matter to us. He continues to fight through adversity and the resilience he shows not only physically but mentally is a guy I am very proud of.”

Ewers also wasn’t particularly open about his future this week. He acknowledged on Monday that this may be his last game at the Royal-Memorial Stadium, but stressed that he had not yet made a decision. Ewers even said he hasn’t thought about who he’ll ask for advice after the season ends.

“I just try to win these games,” Ewers said.

Conventional wisdom, however, is that Ewers will be making his 16th and final appearance at the Royal Memorial Stadium on Saturday. If Ewers leads Texas out of the tunnel for its home opener against San Jose State in 2025, it would be a surprise. Finally, Ewers participated in the team’s Senior Day activities last month. The Longhorns also have a succession plan with Manning.

Ewers’ future is likely in the upcoming NFL Draft. Some online speculation – and even a recent ESPN article – also suggests that Ewers may consider following in the footsteps of 2024 Heisman Trophy finalists Dillon Gabriel and Cam Ward and his college eligibility in 2025 elsewhere to exploit.

Can Ewers be one of the Texas championship-winning quarterbacks?

Directly in front of Royal Memorial Stadium are bronze busts of the four quarterbacks who led Texas to national championships. There is a bust honoring Duke Carlisle, who defeated Navy’s Roger Staubach in the 1964 Cotton Bowl to give Texas its first title. There’s a bust honoring James Street, who quarterbacked undefeated champion UT in 1969. Eddie Phillips, who led Texas to the title in the 1970 season, also had a bust. And of course there is a memorial honoring Vince Young, whose 4th and 5th wins in the 2006 Rose Bowl earned him immortality on the 40 Acres.

While Colt McCoy and Bobby Layne have their jerseys retired, one could argue that Carlisle, Street, Phillips and Young, whose number 10 was also retired, have set the standard for Texas quarterbacks. Starting Saturday against Clemson, that’s the standard Ewers will try to reach over the next month.

While allowing 22.3 points and 364.9 yards per game, Clemson ranks 42nd nationally in scoring defense and 65th in total defense. The Tigers have forced the ninth-most turnovers in the country, which should be a concern for a Texas team that has thrown 11 interceptions and lost 11 fumbles this season.

Ewers is averaging 32 pass attempts and 3.8 rushes per game. With Texas running 71.3 offensive plays per game, its offensive plans will focus on its experienced quarterback. On Monday, Ewers said the key to success was relying on his teammates.

“Just try to get the ball to the playmakers and let them go to work at the end of the day. “It sounds like a simple answer, but it’s actually that simple,” Ewers said.

As a starter, Ewers compiled a 25-8 record. These 25 wins are the seventh most in school history. McCoy (45-8 from 2006-09), Young (30-2 from 2003-05), Layne (28-6 from 1944-47), Ehlinger (27-16 from 2017-20), Chris Simms (26-6 from 1999-02) and Marty Akins (26-9 from 1973-75) all won more.

However, Ewers doesn’t need four wins to overtake Layne. He needs four wins to keep up with Carlisle, Street, Phillips and Young.

If Texas beats Clemson on Saturday, the Longhorns advance to face Arizona State in the quarterfinals of the Peach Bowl. Oregon, Ohio State or Tennessee would be potential opponents in the College Football Playoff semifinals. The CFP Championship game is then scheduled for January 20, 2025.

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Quinn Ewers, Texas football ready for second CFP appearance, Clemson

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