Why Texas Longhorns QB Quinn Ewers 'Loves' In-Helmet Communication

College Football is implementing In-Helmet Communication next season, and Texas Longhorns QB Quinn Ewers is a big fan.
Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers during spring practice at the Frank Denius practice fields
Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers during spring practice at the Frank Denius practice fields / Ricardo B. Brazziell/American-Statesman

AUSTIN - College Football is making a major rule change in 2024, allowing NFL-style in-helmet communication on the field between coaches and one designated player on each side of the ball.

Obviously, on offense, that responsibility will fall to the quarterback, which in the case of the Texas Longhorns is starter Quinn Ewers. Fortunately, the NCAA allows teams to practice with their in-helmet comms in spring football.

And while it has certainly been an adjustment from what he is used to, Ewers is a big fan of the new change and thinks it will ultimately make things easier.

Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers during spring practice at the Frank Denius practice fields
Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers during spring practice at the Frank Denius practice fields / Ricardo B. Brazziell/American-Statesman

“I love it. I think it makes things a little bit easier for me," Ewers said Wednesday, per On3. "Obviously, we’re still signaling but I still have Sark telling me the plays in the helmet. First day it was a little shaky just because I was getting used to it, but I think it’s going to be really helpful for me.”

Meanwhile, defensively, it is unclear who exactly that responsibility will fall to as of now. But according to linebacker David Gbenda, it could be rising sophomore Anthony Hill. Hill, of course, was a standout for the Longhorns as a freshman, utilizing his pass rush abilities and sideline-to-sideline speed to disrupt offenses all season long.

Gbenda, however, is the ranking member of the linebacker group in terms of seniority and experience, which could also put him in a position to wear the device as well.

Ultimately, that decision will fall to defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski. Either way, Gbenda feels like it will be a major upgrade for the defense.

“I feel like it will make it faster,” Gbenda said. “Instead of me having to look the side, I’m looking at the offense. I don’t have to take my eyes off the offense. I’m seeing what they’re giving me... I feel like it will just make the game a lot faster and easier to pick up.”

As of now, it is unclear when Kwiatkowski will choose who gets the to wear the device, but we should find out one way or the another by the time the Longhorns take the field for the Orange-White Game on April 20.


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Matt Galatzan
MATT GALATZAN

Matt Galatzan is the Managing Editor and Publisher of Texas Longhorns In SI and Texas A&M Aggies On SI and a long-time member of the Football Writer’s Association of America. He graduated from the University of Mississippi, where he studied integrated marketing communications, with minors in journalism and business administration. Galatzan started in the sports journalism industry in 2014 covering the Dallas Mavericks with the 247Sports network. He also spent two years covering the SMU Mustangs for PonyStampede.com for 247Sports. He then moved over to Sports Illustrated's Fan Nation network in 2020, eventually being taking over as the Managing Editor and Publisher of the Longhorns and Aggies sites a year later. Through the years, Galatzan has conducted a handful of high-profile one-on-one interviews to add to his resume — in both writing and podcasting. Some of his biggest interviews have been with Mavs owner Mark Cuban, NBA legend Dirk Nowitzki, ex Longhorns Dan Neil and Phil Dawson, FOX News and former ESPN host Will Cain, as well as countless other recruits and former players for each of the teams he has covered. You can find Galatzan on all major social media channels, including Twitter on @MattGalatzan.