It’s long been expected that Quinn Ewers would declare for the NFL Draft this season, leaving Arch Manning to take over as the Texas Longhorns starting quarterback next season. But now, it’s official.
This week, Quinn Ewers formally announced that he would be skipping his final season of college eligibility and declaring for the NFL Draft.
“These past three years have been some of the best years I could have imagined,” Ewers said in a video posted on his social media Wednesday in announcing his decision to enter the draft.
“The relationships I’ve built between coaches and teammates will last forever. I’m truly thankful for the opportunity to play football in my home state at the best university in the world. With prayer and careful consideration, I’m officially declaring for the NFL Draft.
“Thank you. Hook ’em.”
With Ewers now officially leaving Texas, the path is now officially clear for Arch Manning to take over as the team’s starting quarterback.
Manning entered college as the top-rated recruit in the 2023 high school class. Though he spent his first two seasons as Ewers’ backup, he still gained valuable experience on the field.
This year, Manning stepped in as the starter for two games while Ewers recovered from an injury. Once Ewers returned, Manning continued to contribute in special packages, allowing the Longhorns to utilize his athleticism and running ability.
Manning was even thrust into action for the Longhorns in their playoff loss to the Ohio State Buckeyes where he picked up a crucial fourth-down conversion with his legs.
It won’t be easy for Manning as he steps into the starting role for the first time with Texas losing a significant portion of its playmakers from last season. However, Manning has proven that he has the talent to lead the team.
We’ll have to see how he performs next season.