With junior quarterback Quinn Ewers all but out the door, Texas Longhorns fans are seemingly counting down the days until freshman Arch Manning takes over his job.
Ewers admitted during an interview on “College GameDay” ahead of the Cotton Bowl on Friday that he expects to enter the NFL draft and not return to college next season, signaling what appears to be a passing-of-the-torch to Manning.
And while the former No. 1 overall recruit in the country had some solid showings filling in for Ewers this season — he threw for 939 yards, nine touchdowns and two interceptions while rushing for 100 yards and four more scores — there are some who worry about his transition to the full-time starter with Texas clearly a national title threat.
Former Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer is among them, and during an appearance on FS1’s “The Herd” on Friday, he explained exactly why Longhorns fans need to temper their expectations for the 19-year-old signal-caller.
“Here’s the thing about Arch — I think he’s going to be a great player,” Meyer said. “I’m about to say something that I don’t want to offend anybody (or imply) that he’s not going to be a great player. But when I watched – and I did, I went back and watched a bunch of his tape – it’s not like he’s overwhelming yet. It’s not like he comes in the game and he just blows the doors off everybody else.
“So, I don’t see that drastic (difference between him and Ewers). I do believe Arch Manning, at some point, will be a high draft pick and all that, but that time is not now. So, I think (Steve Sarkisian) is doing the right thing with Quinn Ewers, who’s won the big games.”
Texas Longhorns QB Arch Manning takes the field during the first round of the College Football Playoff.
Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
When Ewers does leave, perhaps no one will be more relieved than Sarkisian, who’s been asked seemingly every time his starting QB has shown even the smallest signs of struggling whether it was time to switch to Manning or not.
That very scenario played out during the Cotton Bowl on Friday. Ewers struggled on Texas’ first five drives, which resulted in four punts and a turnover-on-downs, which prompted fans on social media to immediately call for Sarkisian to bench him for Manning — something Meyer wouldn’t rule out seeing during the College Football Playoff semifinal game if Ewers did struggle with UT’s season on the line.
“Do you do the Nick Saban [and replace Jalen Hurts with freshman Tua Tagovailoa], which is one of the gutsiest moves I’ve ever seen, in that scenario?” Meyer added. “Only Sark knows that because we’re not privy to being at practice and what Arch is really capable of doing. What I’ve seen (of Manning is) he’s got a great future, but right now Quinn Ewers is their best opportunity to win.”
