Quinn Ewers Returns: What Must Change For Texas To Win A National Championship?
QB1 isn't done in Austin just yet.
Texas gunslinger Quinn Ewers announced on Thursday that he will return to Austin for the 2024 football season, giving the Longhorns stability under center as they enter the gauntlet known as the SEC.
Ewers has been the Longhorns' starting quarterback for the past two years, guiding the program to its first Big 12 title since 2009 and its first College Football Playoff berth.
“I want to be the quarterback who worked every year to get better,” Ewers said to ESPN’s Pete Thamel. “The quarterback who loved his teammates, the quarterback who won a lot of football games and brought Texas football back to the top of college football where it belongs.”
Aaron E. Martinez/American-Statesman-USA TODAY NETWORK
On paper, it's a match made in heaven for all sides. Steve Sarkisian retains the most critical position coming off a breakout season. Ewers will now compete with names like Georgia's Carson Beck, Ole Miss' Jaxson Dart, Colorado's Shedur Sanders and countless others for the title of QB1 in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Meanwhile, it's another year for Arch Manning to sit and learn. Even with Ewers' return, Manning, a member of NFL royalty, has made it clear he intends to stick it out on the Forty Acres until his number is called.
Ewers, who finished with 22 touchdown passes and six interceptions in 2023, might have maneuvered his way through the Big 12 en route to Arlington, but the SEC is a different beast. Programs that finish 6-6 and 7-5 would likely post a 10-win record in the Big 12 or ACC, meaning wins aren't promised on Saturdays like in days past.
If 2023 was the foundation season, 2024 must be the explosive one. The good news? The Longhorns have the talent to compete for a playoff berth and a trip to Atlanta in early December, beginning July 1.
Everything for Ewers starts with building off a promising year on the Forty Acres. Last season, he improved his accuracy by 11 percent, completing roughly 69 percent of his passes. He also upped his average yards per pass attempt from 7.4 to 8.8.
According to ESPN Stats and Info, Ewers also began to push the ball vertically at a more efficient rate. In 2022, only 53 percent of his throws of 10 or more yards down the field were deemed catchable. This past season, that improved to 75 percent.
Ewers also improved his production, posting six 300-yard passing performances, including a Big 12 record-breaking 452 yards outing in the conference title game against Oklahoma State. The junior also totaled six multi-touchdown games, including a four-touchdown performance against the Pokes in December.
But the question is: How do you build off that? What more needs to be done to secure a national title in 2024?
Consistency will be essential in a new era of Longhorn football. While Ewers impressed under the spotlight, he also had several mishaps and blunders attached to the resume. A week after throwing for 349 yards and three scores in a 10-point victory over Alabama, Ewers struggled to regain similar production against Wyoming, completing less than 60 percent of his passes for 151 yards and two TDs late.
Similar results occurred against Houston following the Red River Showdown loss. The same thing happened again against Texas Tech after the 26-16 win over Iowa State.
Albeit out of his control, injury concerns will linger over to the new conference. Ewers missed three games with an AC sprain in 2022 that factored into an 8-5 season. In 2023, he missed two games with a shoulder sprain.
Unlike in 2023, Ewers will be short-handed at receiver, at least with proven names. Three of Texas’ leading receivers — Xavier Worthy, Adonai Mitchell and Jordan Whittington — have entered the NFL Draft. Tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders and running back Jonathon Brooks also opted to leave school early.
The four pass-catchers combined for nearly 73 percent of Texas' offensive production in 2023. Ewers only threw three touchdowns to returning players and less than 800 yards.
Texas is fine regarding quality talent at pass-catcher but lacks experience. Former five-star Johntay Cook should take over as Worthy's replacement on the outside, and the Longhorns secured the commitment of 2024 five-star receiver Ryan Wingo. Texas also picked up Houston receiver and special teams star Matthew Golden via the transfer portal.
Ewers won't have to improve much, but there's room for growth entering 2024. Another strong season from the quarterback in Austin could do more than bolster Texas' chances of returning to the postseason in a 12-team playoff era.
Can you say, Maxwell? Heisman? First-round pick?
Ewers can't yet. Maybe by next January, he will.
