AUSTIN, Texas — Texas junior quarterback Quinn Ewers declared for the NFL draft on Wednesday, ending a Longhorns career in which he led the team to the Big 12 Championship , and made it to the College Football Playoff twice, but wasn’t always well received by eagerly awaiting fans. Archie Manning takes over.
Ewers passed for 9,128 yards and 68 touchdowns in his career, something few Texas quarterbacks can match. He hinted before the season ended that this would be his last in college.
“The last three years have been the best years I could have ever imagined,” Ewers said in announcing his decision on social media. “The relationships I built between coaches and teammates will last forever.”
As Texas’ starting quarterback, he finished his career with 27 wins, fourth-best, and led the Longhorns to their first Big 12 title in 14 years in 2023 before the program Moved to Southeastern Conference. In their first season in the SEC, the Longhorns advanced to first place in the conference for the first time since 2008 and played in the conference championship game.
Ewers’ biggest legacy will be leading the program to back-to-back playoff semifinals despite falling short of a championship. On January 10, in the Cotton Bowl, he fumbled a sack, setting up Ohio State’s game-winning touchdown.
Ewers, who grew up in suburban Dallas, was the nation’s top-rated high school quarterback when he signed with Ohio State, leaving the school early to join the Buckeyes for the 2021 season. But after spending one season on the Ohio State depth chart, Ewers transferred to Texas, which was then in head coach Steve Sarkisian’s first season. A record of 5 wins and 7 losses.
He served as the starter in the 2022 season opener and led the team to 8-5, 12-2 and 13-3 records. But he was plagued by various shoulder, abdominal and ankle injuries, missing at least two games each season. An abdominal strain limited Manning to two starts this season and the program’s first SEC win against Mississippi State.
Ewers’ departure sets the stage for Manning to take over in 2025.
Cooper Manning’s son, former NFL quarterback Archie Manning’s grandson, Super Bowl champion quarterback Peyton and Eli Manning nephew, who has passed for 939 yards, nine touchdowns and four touchdowns this season, but his playing time has been limited since September. .
Texas fans have been eagerly awaiting his chance to become a full-time starter. Manning will do that by rebuilding the offense.
Top receivers Matthew Golden and Isaiah Bond have declared for the draft, and senior tight end Gunnar Helm has completed his eligibility . Running back Jaydon Blue scored a team-high 14 touchdowns, including four in the playoffs, and starting tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. Cam Williams also left for the NFL.
