Quinn Ewers setting himself up for Arch Manning to take his job

Arch Manning can win the Texas starting job next year with how badly Quinn Ewers has played.

Given that Quinn Ewers has not exactly run away with the Texas starting job, it could leave open the possibility for Arch Manning to take it from him if he were to have excellent spring and fall camps.

With Manning not expected to flip from his Texas commitment, he will be a student in Austin come January. Although the Mannings would have preferred for him to redshirt as a true freshman, that may not be in the cards for him or head coach Steve Sarkisian, the man responsible for getting Manning to commit to Texas. A two-year gap between Ewers and Manning may not be a reality…

What has to happen for Manning to potentially be the Longhorns’ starting quarterback in 2023?

Quinn Ewers’ poor play may open the door for Arch Manning to start for Texas

Although Texas is already one win better than it was a year ago, the Longhorns are only 6-4 on the season. They have to play at Kansas on Saturday, another 6-4 Big 12 program and a team who beat the Longhorns in Austin a season ago in epic fashion. Texas will host instate rival Baylor in its Big 12 regular-season finale. Keep in mind that Baylor could still potentially make it to Arlington…

On the year, Ewers is 4-3 as the Longhorns’ starter in seven games. He is completing 55.2 percent of his passes for 1,507 yards, 13 touchdowns and six interceptions. While he is only a redshirt freshman, and one who initially reclassified to be part of the 2021 recruiting cycle out of high school, Ewers has not ascended to stardom playing in Sarkisian’s offense as many had expected.

Even if Texas is improving under Sarkisian, the Longhorns might be closer to their ceiling with him as head coach than people would want to admit. He may be an 8-4 head coach who can get his team to a 10-2 record if all the bounces go their way in a given year. Furthermore, Texas will be without star running back Bijan Robinson next season, as he is expected to turn pro this spring.

All the while, Ewers needs to play well in Texas’ final three games at Kansas, home vs. Baylor and in the holiday season bowl game to give him and his team plenty of confidence heading into the offseason program. If he does that, then great, but if not, it can be problematic with another five-star quarterback joining the team in the not-too-distant future. How can Manning beat out Ewers?

Admittedly, it is going to take a perfect storm for that to happen. Manning’s upside has to be clear and obvious from day one of spring practice, while Ewers has to regress massively. Not to say that Sarkisian will enter next season on the hot seat, but year three in Austin is a pivotal one for him. Are the Longhorns going to contend for a Big 12 title or not before they head to the SEC in a bit?

Ultimately, the ball is entirely in Sarkisian’s court over this. He will get the final say on who will lead his team out of the huddle on fall Saturdays for the rest of this season and beyond. If by the end of spring practice, or especially heading into fall camp, Sarkisian believes Manning is the guy with each passing day, do not be shocked if he goes with the biggest recruit he has ever landed.

Keep in mind that Ewers would have to sit out in 2023 if he were to transfer for a second time.

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