Jul 312 min read

Will Quinn Ewers Be Able to Lead Texas Into the CFP?

Quinn Ewers has been turning heads as the starting quarterback for the Texas Longhorns. He's built up quite a collection of eye-popping statistics. Ewers also is landing on a number of preseason watch lists, including the Maxwell Award. What, though, are Ewers and head coach Steve Sarkisian focusing on right now? Can Ewers lead the Longhorns into a College Football Playoff spot?

Sarkisian pointed out his QB1's emotional maturity and leadership qualities.

“Year 1, you’re coming in as a transfer and you’re just trying to figure it out," Sarkisian said in an interview.

"Year 2, I think he was really ready to step into the role, (then) he gets that injury against Houston and then he’s trying to work his way back.

“This offseason, this year, he is much more vocal, much more in command of what we’re doing, and has earned our trust, quite frankly, to get us in and out of some things," Sarkisian said of Ewers, who transferred to Texas from Ohio State. "Just his command and his leadership with a lot of new receivers. You definitely see that.”

Quinn Ewers is QB1 at Texas

Ewers is solidly placed in his role as Texas' starting quarterback. But he knows Arch Manning is his backup, which can lead to having a competitive nature in the Longhorns' quarterback room.

"It's been a good past two years for us, just being able to have him in the quarterback room and us being able to push each other," Ewers said in an interview. "It says in the Bible, 'Iron sharpens iron.' So to have that competitive relationship is good."

There's little doubt that the Longhorns are going to have stiffer competition in their first year in the Southeastern Conference.

Ewers put up some solid statistics last season. He really was a dual threat with a strong passing arm and sturdy legs. Ewers totaled 22 touchdowns passing while having just 6 interceptions for 3,479 total years. He also posted 5 rushing touchdowns, too. Ewers and the Longhorns secured a Big 12 Conference title and a CFP berth.

Can the Longhorns Reach the CFP?

Now, though, putting Texas in line for a CFP berth or even having national championship aspirations is a heavy load. Ewers is going to be relied upon to keep that momentum going. Should he get injured, though, Sarkisian and the Longhorns can turn their eyes toward Manning.

And SEC teams are already eyeballing Texas on their schedules. It will not be a cakewalk for the Longhorns this season. Ewers will have to be at his best every time he steps onto a football field.

Keep coming back to College Football Dawgs for more Texas Longhorns coverage this season.