We have officially reached the midway point of our series 99 Things. Only a short 50 days until we have college football back on our screens for week 0 games. Today we are going to look at one of the most hyped recruits in recent memory, Quinn Ewers. The Texas quarterback is likely to start and expectations are already sky high for him. The Texas fanbase is dying for a quarterback to bring them back to prominence and many believe Ewers can be the guy to take them there.
Ewers is the former number one overall prospect who made headlines by skipping his senior season and enrolling at Ohio State in the August of 2021. Ewers played a total of three snaps the entire season. His only playing time came in the final drive against Michigan State after the Buckeyes were up 56-7. Ewers handed the ball off each play finishing his Ohio State career with zero passes attempted. Ewers entered the transfer portal and transferred to Texas, the school he was originally committed to for football, following the regular season. Ewers path to starting at Ohio State was roadblocked by at least one more season so a transfer made sense in terms of playing time.
Texas does have a quarterback battle happening before the start of the season meaning Ewers is not guaranteed the starting spot. Hudson Card is also fighting for the position after playing part of the season last year for the Longhorns. Card played in seven games last season throwing for 590 yards, five touchdowns and one interception. Steve Sarkisian is going to have a decision to make between Ewers and Card. Ewers has a higher ceiling but has not attempted a pass in college yet while Card has limited experience and more chemistry with the receivers. Ultimately Ewers is likely to win the quarterback battle as the Longhorns have a better chance of success with Ewers under center.
Ewers was touted as the most complete high school prospect since Trevor Lawrence. He possesses incredible arm talent and mobility to escape the pocket and keep plays alive. Ewers accuracy was above average at the high school level and should be an area he will continue to improve as he grows with the offense. Ewers has the ability to flash at any point during the game create highlight reel throws. His first year as the starting quarterback is going to be about consistency and short term memory. Young quarterbacks have a tendency to remember their mistakes which results in further miscues. Moving past those mistakes is what separates a good quarterback from a great quarterback.
The Texas Longhorns currently have a bright future at quarterback with Ewers in line to start at least two seasons followed by Arch Manning. Sarkisian struggled in his first season as the Longhorn’s head coach but he has his star quarterback now. Relying on an unproven quarterback can be risky at times but having one as talented as Ewers helps take the pressure off. Can Ewers live up to the hype and truly bring Texas back?
