Former Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers was one of the biggest names in college football. Before he declared for the draft, fans and media closely followed his on-field performances and off-field appearances. It seemed college football couldn’t go a week without an Ewers-related headline. Now, there is a noticeable silence as we wait for the 2025 NFL Draft to determine his future.
With Arch Manning set to replace Ewers as Texas’ starting quarterback, fans are naturally looking back at Ewers’ career with the Longhorns and asking, How good was he? Well, On3’s J.D. Pickell doesn’t think Ewers lived up to the hype.
CFB Analyst Claims Former Texas QB Left “Something to be Desired”
Ewers has been one of the most debated quarterbacks in college football. As a former five-star recruit with a highly touted arm, fans once projected him as a future Heisman Trophy finalist. Now, some are questioning whether he was even a good quarterback. On3’s J.D. Pickell believes Ewers failed to meet expectations.
“In the conference, did Quinn Ewers leave something to be desired through the air? Let’s be real about this—he wasn’t who we thought he would be,” Pickell said.
It’s no secret that fans and analysts have found Ewers’ performance as Texas’ starting quarterback underwhelming at times. However, there’s a reason head coach Steve Sarkisian stuck with him. Ewers led Texas to an SEC title game and a College Football Playoff semifinal despite battling injuries and facing criticism from the fanbase.
It’s easy to forget that Ewers arrived at Texas after Sarkisian’s 5-7 debut season, carrying the expectation of turning the program around. He exceeded those expectations, leading Texas to a 25-8 record, a Big 12 championship, and multiple playoff appearances, including a grueling fight in their SEC title game bid.
Ewers wasn’t perfect, but given his injuries and the weight of expectations, he performed well.
Former Texas Starting QB Quinn Ewers Offers Successor Arch Manning Solid Advice
As Ewers sets his sights on the NFL, the Arch Manning era officially begins in Austin. Naturally, Manning is already feeling the pressure that comes with being a team’s starting quarterback. However, some advice from Ewers has helped him focus on the bigger picture.
During an interview with ESPN’s Marty Smith, Manning shared the wise words Ewers gave him following Texas’ Playoff semifinal loss to Ohio State.
“Kind of right after the Ohio State game, I was with Quinn in the locker room,” Manning said. “He was like, ‘Enjoy every moment. It goes by quickly. So love on your teammates and have fun.’”
Manning spent two seasons as Ewers’ backup, watching closely and gaining experience. Now that Ewers has passed the torch, it’s up to Manning to lead Texas’ offense and keep the team in championship contention.
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In his two starts for Texas against Louisiana-Monroe and Mississippi State, Manning threw for 583 yards, four touchdowns, and two interceptions while completing 68.3% of his passes. He led Texas to victory in both games. Fans will expect even more from him next season as they set their sights on a national championship run.
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