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

On By Littum

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

Playing quarterback at Texas, has it been everything you thought it would be, good and bad?

“When you look at it, you only think of the good when you’re a kid,” Ewers replied. “But that’s just life though. Things are going to come your way, you just have to keep moving forward. It’s been fun for sure.”

What has been the most enjoyable part and what has been the most miserable?

“The most enjoyable? I would say just getting to know all these guys from different demographics and just getting to know their stories and just getting to know guys from all over the country. I mean, football has given me the opportunity to get to know them. Without this team and without football, I would not have been able to build the relationships that I have built over the last three years.

And the most miserable?

“Man, it’s all just been a learning experience and nothing has really been super bad for me. It’s all been a good time.”

Whether he was being modest or just speaking his truth, those answers didn’t tell the whole story of Ewers’ three years on the Texas campus. It sure was fun winning road games in front of 100,000 fans at Texas A&M, Michigan and Alabama. As was beating Oklahoma twice. Leading Texas to its first two College Football Playoff appearances should be fun, and you can’t overlook a standout performance in the 2023 Big 12 championship game or his eventual finish behind just Colt McCoy, Sam Ehlinger and Major Applewhite on UT’s all-time passing chart (and Ewers only needs 33 yards to pass Applewhite). Becoming the NIL poster child was definitely a nice bonus.

On the flip side, injuries have been a problem for Ewers throughout his college career. There has been constant criticism of his play, and he was temporarily shut down during a high-profile game against Georgia this season. Having 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 what may be his final chapter in Texas has a happy or disappointing ending. Texas and its third-year starting quarterback will open their College Football Playoff run at home against Clemson on Saturday.

Is that really it for Quinn Ewers in Texas?

To be clear, Ewers has not said he won’t return to Texas in 2025. It was thought he would leave Texas for the NFL after last season. But 10 days after UT lost to Washington in the Sugar Bowl, Ewers took to social media to announce his return to lead Longhorn.

On Monday, Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said Ewers had not shared his plans with his coach. However, it was not abnormal. Texas is preparing for the playoffs, and Sarkisian said he hasn’t chatted with presumptive first-round pick Kelvin Banks Jr. either. about his future.

Three days later, Sarkisian had a difficult exchange with a reporter after he was asked to reflect on Ewers’ career. When the question was originally asked using language that assumed Ewers would not return to Texas in 2025, Sarkisian repeatedly said he did not want to speak in hypotheticals. Only after the question was rephrased would Sarkisian give an answer.

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

Ewers also wasn’t so clear about his future this week. He admitted on Monday that this could be his last game at the Royal-Memorial Stadium, but insisted he has not made a decision yet. Ewers even said he hasn’t thought about who he will ask to advise him after the season is over.

“I’m just trying to win these games,” Ewers said.

But conventional wisdom says Saturday will mark Ewers’ 16th and final start at Royal-Memorial Stadium. If Ewers leads Texas out of the tunnel for its home opener against San Jose State in 2025, it would be a surprise. After all, Ewers participated in the team’s Senior Day activities last month. The Longhorns also have a succession plan with Manning in place.

Ewer’s future is likely in the upcoming NFL draft. Some online speculation – and even a recent ESPN article — has also suggested that Ewers could consider following in the footsteps of 2024 Heisman Trophy finalists Dillon Gabriel and Cam Ward and exhausting his collegiate eligibility elsewhere in 2025.

Can Ewers join the ranks of championship-winning quarterbacks at Texas?

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

While Colt McCoy and Bobby Layne have had their jerseys retired, it could be argued that Carlisle, Street, Phillips and Young, who has also had his No. 10 aside, has established the standard for Texas quarterbacks. Starting Saturday against Clemson, that’s the standard Ewers will try to meet over the next month.

While Clemson is allowing 22.3 points and 364.9 yards per game. 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. match. With Texas running 71.3 offensive plays per game, its offensive schemes will revolve around its veteran quarterback. On Monday, Ewers said the key to success would be trusting 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 that simple,” Ewers said.

As a starter, Ewers has compiled a 25-8 record. Those 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 does not need four wins to pass Layne. He needs four wins to match Carlisle, Street, Phillips and Young.

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

“We have a lot of confidence (in Quinn),” Banks said. “There’s not one time we’ve ever doubted Quinn in any situation. We feel like he can go out there and give us a good chance to win. We believe in him.”

Saturday’s match

No. 12 Clemson (10-3) at no. 5 Texas (11-2), CFP First Round Game, Royal-Memorial Stadium, TNT, 1300, 98.1, 105.3 (Spanish)