Quinn Ewers Looking For Balance In Year 2 As Longhorns QB
Look good, feel good. How about adding "play exceptional" to the mix?
Texas football can only hope that the new version of Quinn Ewers is a combination of the promised positivity and tremendous upside. Gone are his trademark mullet and grizzled mutton chop beard. The same goes with a bit of baby fat he carried over from his adolescent days while commanding the huddle at Southlake Carroll.
Here to stay is his near-flawless footwork, right? What about his cannon-powered arm that can connect with receivers in stride downfield for massive gains, right?
There's no way the mane that made headlines in Year 1 in Austin had similar powers to Samson from biblical times, right?
"I wanted it shorter," Ewers chuckled Thursday. "It's too hot here. It's less to worry about, too."
The outside look of Ewers' body is probably one of the last things on Longhorns fans' minds these days. They care extensively about his internal makeup, mainly looking at the changes that led to regression down the stretch last season.
Ewers won Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year after leading Texas to an 8-5 finish. It marked growth under Steve Sarkisian's play concept from Year 1 to Year 2. The then-19-year-old also had fans entranced by his potential following his return from a clavicle injury in the Red River Showdown.
A 49-0 win with four touchdowns against a hated rival was the highlight of Ewers' season — at least until his season-high passing total in the Alamo Bowl loss to No. 12 Washington. After that, he struggled with accuracy, completing less than a combined 50 percent of his throws in four of his five regular season starts.
Receivers missed assignments. Ewers missed targets. Combined, it culminated in turnovers.
That's been a moot point midway through fall camp. Ewers, who took it upon himself to both the personal and vocal transformation, seems to have a better grasp of the playbook. The same goes for his rapport with the playmakers looking for the end zone.
“This time last year, I was still trying to pick up the offense and learn certain checks and whatnot," Ewers said. "This year, I can just kind of be more me and play more freely. I don’t have to think as much. It just automatically clicks, which is huge from my position. I can focus more on (defensive fronts) and keeping myself protected.”
Few would deny there's pressure on Ewers entering Texas' final year as members of the Big 12. Both Maalik Murphy and top-ranked prospect Arch Manning continue to make strides in practice. The Longhorns also return 10 offensive starters, including all five starting offensive linemen.
Consistency in the trenches has upped the level of expectation on the Forty Acres nationally, even with the departure of Doak Walker Award Bijan Robinson. Texas, which will join Oklahoma in the SEC come July 1, 2024, is the favorite to win the conference, a first since 2009.
Ewers, a self-proclaimed perfectionist, understands why even the slight margin of errors will be scrutinized to new levels, and admitted that likely played a role in last season's mishaps.
"I learned a whole lot here about not just this team, but about myself, which ultimately will only help me in the long run," said Ewers.
The Longhorns, who were listed at No. 12 in the Coaches' preseason poll, can't rely only on Ewers to lead them back to Arlington. They shouldn't have to, either. On top of having a stable offensive line with exception depth, Texas returns All-Big 12 standouts in tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders and receiver Xavier Worthy.
The Longhorns will have a healthy Isaiah Neyor for the first time since he transferred from Wyoming. They also added in former Georgia pass-catcher Adoni Mitchell. On top of the four-man set, Texas also has a security blanket Jordan Whittington, who elected to return for one more go-around in the Big 12 like the flagship school.
Sanders, who registered 613 yards and five TDs last season, said Friday he hadn't noticed a drop-off in Ewers since his 368-yard performance against the Huskies in San Antonio. Worthy, who played the year's second half with a broken hand, he seen first-hand the boy-wonder mature into a leader of men.
"He’s the head of the snake," said Worthy at Big 12 Media Days. "He’s accepting that role...The quarterback is the head of the snake. Everybody is going to go with him. If he says something, everybody’s going to go. If he says that’s not allowed, then everybody is going to listen.”
Robinson, who rushed for over 1,500 yards and led the conference with 20 scores, can't serve as Ewers' ace in the hole when things head south. Ewers knows the passing game comes first, but he's also been pleased with the maturity of Keilan Robinson, Jonathon Brooks, C.J. Baxter and those waiting in the wings.
"The depth we have in that room is unreal," said Ewers. "And we're gonna we're gonna have guys that are able to make some similar plays that [Robinsin] did last year and the years before."
Ewers continues to say the right things. He's confident answering questions and dealing with the spotlight, an underlying issue from a season ago.
Maybe a haircut and clean shave won't make him a better passer, but the "LGFG" motto could have him playing up to his standards. Worthy considers Ewers the head of the snake, so he's going to be the one to feed the rest.
A bountiful meal could be coming Texas' way in 2023. Those around the program are starting to take notice of what happens when Ewers can strike.
"Whatever he did after cutting it, it’s like a whole new person," Sanders said. "He went from a kid to an adult. It’s showed in the way he’s carried himself."
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