Quinn Ewers will be back at Texas in 2024 as the team looks to go all the way once more after falling 37-31 to Washington in the College Football Playoff semifinal.
With a quarterback room that features former five-star recruit Arch Manning, this could create an interesting dynamic, and there has been some speculation that it could push Manning to transfer.
Ewers’ experience is one of the factors that played into his starter status over Manning, who was once the No. 1 recruit in the country.
Manning has played very sparingly, seeing his first in-game action during Rivalry Week in the 57-7 blowout win over Texas Tech. It wasn’t a lot, but he completed two-of-five passes for 30 yards and carried the ball three times for seven yards.
Here’s a look into what to know about the situation at hand, what it means for both Ewers and Manning, and possible scenarios that could play out.
MORE: Will Arch Manning transfer? Latest updates on QB portal rumors if Quinn Ewers stays at Texas
Why Quinn Ewers is staying at Texas
Ewers was originally expected to be a player who could potentially go in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, but he dealt with an injury in ’23, sidelining him for two games.
Even with that, he finished out the season completing 272-of-394 passes for 3,479 yards, 22 touchdowns, and six interceptions.
He showed marked improvement in his accuracy, with 75 percent of his passes of 10 yards or more deemed catchable in 2023, according to ESPN Stats & Info research. In 2022, just 53 percent of those passes were deemed catchable.
Ewers has the chance to increase his draft stock by staying another year at Texas, especially if he can lead another CFP playoff run. Given the circumstances and how the Longhorns haven taken off under head coach Steve Sarkisian, it’s easy to see why staying another year at Texas makes sense for Ewers and isn’t necessarily surprising news.
Will Arch Manning transfer?
Manning has addressed this topic lightly, but he’s given every indication that he plans to stay at Texas. He was asked about the subject when he met with the media for the first time ever as a Longhorn, denouncing any rumors of a transfer.
“Obviously, there’s always rumors, especially nowadays, but I haven’t looked into transferring at all,” Arch Manning said. “I’m just focused on developing and helping this team in any way I can. Hopefully, one day playing for the University of Texas like I’ve always wanted to.”
Now that Ewers is staying, it will be worth watching whether Manning sticks to this sentiment.
Best Arch Manning landing spots for 2024
Given how highly touted Manning was as a recruit, it’s expected that several schools would jump at the opportunity to kick the tires on him.
Ohio State
The Buckeyes and Kyle McCord seemed to mutually part ways, with McCord finding a new home at Syracuse. Nothing concrete on Manning to Ohio State has ever emerged, but some key figures around OSU and its fan base have taken the time to court him on social media.
Ohio State legend Maurice Clarett released a tweet that was later deleted in which he tagged both Arch and Peyton Manning:
“Come on Dawg…. Get in that transfer portal. We will have your whole life turnt up. I know your whole family paid but ain’t nothing like being a star at an elite school. Quinn Ewers ain’t going nowhere soon.”
Texas
Manning has found himself in this situation before and chose not to transfer the first time when Ewers got the starting gig. He has the chance to stay and hold the clipboard another year, something that could be beneficial in some aspects, and come in fully prepared when Ewers departs after his senior year.
After all, Manning did commit to a team that had a stout QB room from the start.
Alabama
There’s no other program in the nation with as many question marks surrounding it right now than Alabama after legendary head coach Nick Saban announced his retirement. Jalen Milroe performed well in the second half of the season as the starter despite some ups and downs at the beginning of the year. In fact, he put such a fine product on the field that he earned some late Heisman buzz.
The Crimson Tide are a team to watch for many reasons, from their coaching search to the portal. It’s unclear how the fit could work until Alabama names its next head coach, but if there were to be a quarterback change or a competitive competition with Milroe, Manning should be in consideration if he decides to hit the portal.