Quinn Ewers advised Arch Manning to stay mentally tough, trust his preparation, build chemistry with teammates, and lead by example.

What Quinn Ewers Told Arch Manning Prior to the Longhorns’ Departure

In the fast-paced, high-pressure world of college football, the quarterback position is often under a microscope. The University of Texas, a program steeped in history and rich tradition, has been in search of a true leader at the quarterback position for many years. After several seasons of inconsistency at the helm, the Longhorns were hoping that the arrival of highly touted freshman Arch Manning, a generational talent from the Manning family, would finally provide the spark needed to lead Texas back to national prominence.

But before Manning arrived on campus, he had an opportunity to learn from someone who had already been in the trenches of college football—a player who was just beginning his own journey at Texas: Quinn Ewers. Ewers, a former five-star recruit and one of the most highly anticipated quarterbacks in recent memory, had transferred from Ohio State to Texas with the hopes of leading the Longhorns to success. In his first season at Texas, Ewers faced some growing pains and challenges but still displayed flashes of his immense potential. His advice to Manning would help set the stage for the young quarterback’s own career in Austin, offering insights into the challenges and rewards of being a starting quarterback at a high-profile program.

Before Manning set foot on campus, he and Ewers had multiple conversations, discussing everything from football to the mental and emotional challenges of playing at Texas. With Ewers already entrenched as the starting quarterback heading into his second season, Manning’s conversations with him would not only provide an invaluable learning experience but also help him prepare for the pressure cooker that is Texas football.

The Context: Ewers’ Journey at Texas

Ewers’ journey to Texas had already been a whirlwind. After committing to and signing with Ohio State in 2021, Ewers shocked many by transferring to Texas before ever playing a snap for the Buckeyes. The decision came as a surprise to many college football fans, but it was one that Ewers felt would give him the best opportunity to play early and make an immediate impact. His transfer to Texas brought high expectations, but it also placed immense pressure on him to perform right away.

Ewers’ first season at Texas in 2022 was one full of highs and lows. After an electric start to the season, including an impressive performance in a near-upset of Alabama, Ewers’ play began to regress as the season went on. He struggled with consistency and battled injuries that kept him off the field for several games. Despite these struggles, Ewers showed enough promise to convince many that he could be the Longhorns’ future at quarterback. As a result, he entered the 2023 season as the starting quarterback for Texas, with the pressure of living up to the hype that came with his status as a top recruit.

Manning, a five-star recruit in his own right, had been closely watching Ewers’ journey from afar. The legacy of the Manning family, with Arch being the grandson of Archie Manning and the nephew of Peyton and Eli Manning, had already set extremely high expectations for the young quarterback. Like Ewers, Manning was stepping into a situation where the weight of the program’s history was ever-present. And so, long before Manning joined the team, Ewers took it upon himself to offer some valuable advice.

The Conversations: Ewers’ Words of Wisdom

Manning’s transition to college football would be a significant step up from high school, and Ewers, having already been through the ups and downs of playing for a high-profile program, offered his guidance to help the young quarterback prepare. Their conversations spanned a wide range of topics, and Ewers made it clear that the experience of being the starting quarterback at Texas, with all the pressure that came with it, was not something to be taken lightly.

One of the first things Ewers told Manning was that the mental game would be just as important as the physical one. Ewers shared his own experience of coming to Texas with immense expectations, only to realize that the mental side of the game would be the hardest part. He stressed the importance of staying composed and mentally sharp, even when things weren’t going as planned. For Manning, who had been groomed to be a leader from a young age, Ewers’ words were a reality check: “Things won’t always go the way you want them to. You can’t let the pressure overwhelm you. You have to stay calm, stay focused, and believe in your ability.”

Ewers also spoke at length about the need to be prepared for everything. As a quarterback at Texas, Manning would face constant scrutiny, not only from fans and media but also from his own teammates, coaches, and even alumni. Every throw, every decision, every win, and every loss would be magnified. Ewers told Manning that, in his experience, the most successful quarterbacks were the ones who spent hours studying film, learning defensive schemes, and mastering the intricacies of the Texas offensive system. “Preparation is everything,” Ewers explained. “You can’t just rely on talent. You have to put in the work, and that’s how you’ll gain the trust of your teammates and coaches.”

Ewers also stressed the importance of building relationships within the locker room. Manning, like Ewers, had a naturally strong leadership presence, but Ewers emphasized that leadership wasn’t just about being vocal or commanding the huddle; it was about fostering trust and respect among your teammates. Ewers told Manning that the best quarterbacks were the ones who were the most consistent in their actions, both on and off the field. “You’ve got to earn the respect of your teammates,” Ewers said. “It’s about how you show up every day. When they see you working hard, when they see you putting the team first, that’s when they’ll start following you.”

One of the most impactful pieces of advice Ewers offered Manning was about dealing with adversity. As Ewers had learned in his first season at Texas, things wouldn’t always go smoothly. There would be games where Manning would struggle, and there would be moments of doubt. In those times, Ewers told Manning, it was essential to stay resilient and not let failures define you. “You’re going to face some tough moments,” Ewers explained. “The key is how you respond. Don’t let a bad game get in your head. You’ve got to learn from it, move forward, and focus on the next one.”

The Leadership Challenges: Managing the Texas Spotlight

The challenge of leading the Texas Longhorns is unlike anything many quarterbacks experience. The program has an incredibly passionate fanbase that holds its players to high standards, and the spotlight is often on the quarterback more than anyone else. Ewers told Manning that it was important to embrace that spotlight rather than shy away from it. He emphasized that Manning had to be prepared to handle the pressure, both on and off the field.

“People are always going to be watching, always going to have an opinion,” Ewers said. “But you have to understand that at Texas, it’s just part of the deal. You have to be comfortable with the spotlight and learn how to focus on what matters—winning and leading the team.”

Ewers also talked about the pressure of managing expectations—both external and internal. For Manning, whose family legacy was already legendary in the world of football, the expectations would be even higher. Ewers told Manning to remain grounded and not let external pressure cloud his judgment. “You can’t worry about what people are saying outside the program,” he advised. “At the end of the day, you’ve got to focus on what you can control—your preparation, your performance, and your leadership.”

Another area where Ewers’ insight would prove invaluable was the importance of managing the offense. Texas had experienced some inconsistency at quarterback in the years leading up to Manning’s arrival, and Ewers emphasized the need to establish consistency on offense. “It’s not just about making the big plays,” Ewers said. “It’s about making sure everyone is on the same page, from the offensive line to the receivers to the running backs. You need to be able to manage the game and make sure everyone knows what they need to do.”

The Road Ahead: Manning’s Role and Ewers’ Legacy

As Manning prepared to step into the starting quarterback role, Ewers knew that the pressure would only intensify. But he was confident in Manning’s ability to handle the challenge, just as he had attempted to do in his own first season. Ewers’ mentorship and advice provided Manning with a valuable foundation for what lay ahead.

Manning’s journey would undoubtedly be different from Ewers’, but the advice shared between the two quarterbacks would help shape the direction of Texas football for years to come. Ewers’ guidance served as a reminder to Manning that success at Texas wouldn’t come overnight—it would require hard work, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to his teammates and the program.

As Manning takes the reins of the Texas offense, Ewers’ legacy will continue to live on. His mentorship will be remembered as a pivotal moment in Manning’s development, helping him prepare for the pressure of being the Longhorns’ quarterback. The road ahead will be challenging, but with the wisdom of Ewers in his corner, Manning will be better equipped to handle whatever comes his way.