AUSTIN, Texas — Texas junior quarterback Quinn Ewers has officially declared for the NFL Draft, bringing an end to his career with the Longhorns. During his time at Texas, Ewers led the team to a Big 12 championship and made two appearances in the College Football Playoff, but he faced mixed feelings from a fan base that has been looking forward to the emergence of Arch Manning.
Ewers accumulated impressive career statistics, throwing for 9,128 yards and 68 touchdowns, placing him among the elite Texas quarterbacks. Speculation about his departure had circulated even before the conclusion of the season. In an announcement via social media, Ewers reflected on his time in college, stating, “These past three years have been some of the best years I could have imagined. The relationships I’ve built between coaches and teammates will last forever.”
With 27 wins as a starting quarterback, Ewers ranks fourth in Texas history. His leadership helped reclaim the Longhorns’ first Big 12 title in 14 years during the 2023 season, occurring shortly before the program transitioned to the Southeastern Conference. In their inaugural SEC season, the Longhorns achieved their first No. 1 ranking since 2008 and competed in the league’s championship game.
Among Ewers’ most notable accomplishments is guiding the team to playoff semifinals in back-to-back seasons, although they fell short of reaching the championship game. A fumble during a sack in the Cotton Bowl against Ohio State on January 10 allowed the Buckeyes to secure a crucial game-clinching touchdown.
Ewers hails from the suburbs of Dallas and was a highly regarded high school quarterback, ultimately signing with Ohio State. After spending one season at Ohio State where he found himself lower on the depth chart, Ewers made the move to Texas, where the program had finished 5-7 under coach Steve Sarkisian.
By the start of the 2022 season, Ewers had secured the starting role and managed records of 8-5, 12-2, and 13-3 over his seasons. However, his time was often marred by injuries, including issues with his shoulder, abdomen, and ankle, causing him to miss multiple games each year. An abdomen strain this latest season allowed Manning to step in for two games, contributing to Texas’s first win in the SEC against Mississippi State.
With Ewers now moving on, the spotlight turns to Manning, who is set to take the reins in 2025. The son of Cooper Manning and the grandson of former NFL quarterback Archie Manning has garnered attention, having thrown for 939 yards and nine touchdowns this season, along with four rushing touchdowns, though his playing time has been limited since September.
Fans in Texas are eager to see him as the primary starter, especially as the Longhorns prepare to revamp their offense. Several key players, including top receivers Matthew Golden and Isaiah Bond who have declared for the draft, alongside senior tight end Gunnar Helm who has exhausted his eligibility, will not return. In addition, star running back Jaydon Blue, who led the team with 14 touchdowns including four during the playoffs, as well as starting offensive tackles Kelvin Banks Jr. and Cam Williams, have also opted to pursue NFL careers.
