An analyst unpacked why Quinn Ewers landed in Miami and how Arch Manning’s emergence turned out to be a blessing for Texas football.
Analyst Ties Quinn Ewers’ Draft Slide to Arch Manning’s Rise
Before the NFL Draft, people thought that Texas quarterback and former starter Quinn Ewers would eventually transfer. However, he chose to enter the draft. Ewers sat back and waited, finally hearing his name with the 231st overall pick. The Dolphins used a selection on the former Longhorns.
Meanwhile, Arch Manning, whose play helped the former starter’s decision to leave UT, was back in Austin. Is there a correlation between Manning’s surge and Ewers’ plummeting draft stock? Legendary broadcaster Tim Brando, while speaking on the Crain and Company YouTube channel, explained his stance, stating:
“I think Arch Manning will be a better quarterback at the collegiate and pro levels than Quinn Ewers. Ewers were effective. He did play hurt. He was tough but not always healthy, and that’s a problem. ”
Brando’s assertions align with what many believed led to the precipitous fall in the 2025 NFL Draft. CBS Sports’ Shehan Jeyarajah, who corroborated Brando’s opinion with facts:
“Even dating back to high school, Ewers struggled to stay healthy. He dealt with a core issue during his final high school season that cost him multiple games. After winning his starting job in Texas, he dealt with injury issues for three years.”
“Ewers suffered major sprains of his SC joint (2022) and AC joint (2023) in his shoulders that cost him multiple games. In 2024, the core issues popped up again after a non-contact abdominal strain against UTSA. His efficiency fell from Year 2 to Year 3 after playing through some discomfort. ”
Four major injuries, three of which that concern the shoulders raised all the red flags about the Southlake, Texas native. In football, the best availability remains ability. Arch Manning was there. He didn’t missed time. In fact, he waited his turn to even see the field.
When Manning stepped on the field, you could see the flashes of brilliance that dismantled any discussions of nepotism. The ball looked crisp coming from his hand. Everything from a technical aspect looked clean.
For example, when moving the pocket to running the offense with surgical precision. Meanwhile, for the former Texas starter, he started to feel the heat, as Jeyarajah writes:
“There were moments when the pressures of having a famous backup QB clearly impacted Ewers. He was pulled for a few drives near halftime of the 2024 Georgia game. Though he looked rattled on the sideline, Ewers returned and played better.”
“He also returned from his abdominal injury and never truly looked healthy. Most teams would take a fourth season from a two-time all-conference quarterback. That was never the case at Texas. The Manning era starts now.”
In all honesty, Manning ran the offense better. Years of injuries took their toll on Ewers. You didn’t see the same snap on his throws. Granted, Texas surrounded any quarterback with enough talent to win many games. Yet, that never looked like enough. The newest Dolphins quarterback, in the eyes of many, never stayed healthy enough to lead the team to greatness.
Moreover, Manning’s successes with the same roster resonated with teammates. You cannot look at both quarterbacks, with the same offense, from play calls to personnel, look night and day different from one quarterback to another. NFL scouts possess unfettered access to film from all angles.
KEEP READING: Analyst Outlines Why Arch Manning Is Set To Thrive in Comparison to Quinn Ewers
It is safe to bet that Arch Manning’s play overshadowed Ewers’ effects. Therefore, the wide disparity in accomplishments torpedoed the latter’s draft stock.
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