Quinn Ewers’ Blunt Response to Arch Manning Replacing Him

Quarterback Quinn Ewers has led the Texas Longhorns to the quarterfinals of the first-ever 12-team College Football Playoff in what many expect to be his last season with the program.

After defeating the Clemson Tigers 38-24 in the first round, Texas will go on to face the Arizona State Sun Devils in the Peach Bowl.

Although Ewers is coach Steve Sarkisian’s guy going forward in the postseason, backup Arch Manning is expected to take over the starting role in 2025. Ewers, the junior out of Southlake, Texas, is projected by many to declare for the 2025 NFL draft following the Longhorns’ playoff run.

Still, even if Ewers does decide to return for one more season, Texas still appears to be ready to start the Manning era, which could prompt a potential transfer from Ewers.

“Arch Manning is going to be the quarterback at Texas next year,” ESPN NFL draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. said. “So if you want to play college football, you probably have to move on somewhere. I would do that if I’m Quinn Ewers.”

Texas quarterbacks Arch Manning and Quinn Ewers. Sara Diggins/American-Statesman

Texas quarterbacks Arch Manning and Quinn Ewers. Sara Diggins/American-Statesman /

On Saturday, Ewers was asked about Manning taking over the offense for the Longhorns in the future. The former Ohio State quarterback gave a blunt response to being replaced.

“Yeah, I think over the past two years, he’s definitely grown and matured for sure to be able to be successful at Texas,” Ewers said of Manning.

Manning, a redshirt freshman from New Orleans, has started to see more play calls involving him down the stretch, mostly runs. He even scored the game’s first touchdown in Texas’s win over Texas A&M on Nov. 30.

Manning also got the nod as a starter for two contests early on in the season, with Ewers sidelined with an injury. The nephew of Peyton and Eli Manning went 2-0 in those games.

In nine games played so far during the season, Manning has thrown for 939 yards, nine touchdowns and two interceptions while adding 100 yards and four more scores on the ground. He has proven he is ready to take over for Ewers in the near future.