“Very Proud of Quinn”: Longhorns of Texas Steve Sarkisian Says Goodbye to Ewers

“Very Proud of Quinn”: Longhorns’ Steve Sarkisian Says Goodbye to Ewers

The 2024 college football season came to a bittersweet end for Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian and quarterback Quinn Ewers, marking the conclusion of a partnership that was meant to take Texas back to the heights of national prominence. After a season of highs and lows, filled with moments of brilliance and periods of frustration, Ewers, the highly touted quarterback, officially declared for the 2025 NFL Draft, signaling the end of his time as a Longhorn.

As the Texas program looks ahead to its future, including the arrival of freshman phenom Arch Manning, Sarkisian’s relationship with Ewers will be remembered as one filled with growth, development, and learning on both sides. While the departure of Ewers is a significant turning point for the program, Sarkisian’s praise for the young quarterback reveals a deep sense of pride in the player’s evolution, and a sense of gratitude for his contributions to the Longhorns’ resurgence.

In this article, we’ll take a look at the relationship between Sarkisian and Ewers, the highs and lows of Ewers’ tenure at Texas, and how the quarterback’s departure leaves the program poised for the next chapter, with Arch Manning set to take the reins in 2025.

A High-Powered Arrival: Ewers’ Recruitment to Texas

Quinn Ewers arrived at Texas in 2022 as one of the most highly anticipated quarterback prospects in recent memory. A five-star recruit from Southlake Carroll High School in Texas, Ewers was hailed as a transformative player who could return the Longhorns to national contention. His decision to transfer from Ohio State to Texas was met with great excitement, and expectations were sky-high for the talented gunslinger.

Ewers’ arm strength, mobility, and ability to make all the necessary throws were qualities that caught the eye of Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian, who had long been known as an offensive mind capable of developing quarterbacks into stars. Sarkisian had built his reputation as the architect of high-octane offenses, first as Alabama’s offensive coordinator and later as Texas’ head coach, and Ewers seemed like the perfect fit for his system.

In Ewers’ first season in Austin, Sarkisian made it clear that he would build the offense around his quarterback’s strengths, leveraging his strong arm and ability to stretch the field vertically. With high expectations, Ewers was tasked with leading the Longhorns back into the national conversation.

The Ups and Downs of Ewers’ Time at Texas

Despite the initial excitement, Ewers’ tenure at Texas was far from smooth sailing. His first season as the starting quarterback in 2022 was a mix of flashes of brilliance and moments of inconsistency. There were undeniable highs, like his explosive debut in a win over Louisiana-Monroe, but also key struggles that would haunt his development.

1. The 2022 Season: Inconsistent Growth

Ewers’ first season as the Longhorns’ starting quarterback saw a mixture of success and growing pains. He began the season as the starter but was sidelined for a portion of the year due to an injury against Alabama. In his absence, backup Hudson Card played admirably, but it was clear that Ewers had the higher ceiling.

When Ewers returned from injury, his growth as a quarterback was evident in his ability to push the ball downfield and make spectacular throws. However, his decision-making and consistency often lagged behind, with issues like turnovers and miscommunication with his receivers holding back the offense.

The 2022 season ended in disappointment for Texas, as they finished 8-4 and missed out on a major bowl game. Yet, despite the lack of team success, Sarkisian saw potential in Ewers. He knew that with time, Ewers could develop into the quarterback the Longhorns needed to make a serious run at the College Football Playoff.

2. 2023: Development and Near-Misses

The 2023 season represented a critical year for Ewers and Sarkisian. Texas had a deep roster and high expectations after a strong recruiting class, and the program was aiming for a Big 12 championship and a College Football Playoff berth. The Longhorns were on the cusp of becoming a national contender, and Ewers was at the center of that mission.

Ewers took a major step forward in 2023. He exhibited greater consistency in his decision-making and began to find a rhythm with his receivers, notably star wide receiver Xavier Worthy. Ewers led Texas to some big wins during the season, including a statement victory over Oklahoma, in which he showcased his ability to perform under pressure.

However, as the season wore on, the Longhorns faced key tests in games against top competition, and Ewers’ performance became a focal point of debate. Against teams like Kansas State and Texas Tech, Ewers struggled with accuracy and turnovers, leading to frustrating losses for the Longhorns. While Texas’ defense played well throughout the season, it was clear that Ewers had room to improve if Texas was to make a legitimate push for the playoffs.

The culmination of the season came with Texas making a bid for the College Football Playoff, but their ultimate exit in a tough Cotton Bowl loss to Ohio State was a painful end to an otherwise promising year. The loss left the Longhorns with a sense of “what could have been,” and Ewers’ performance in that game was a microcosm of his time at Texas—some moments of brilliance, but too many missed opportunities.

Sarkisian’s Support and Belief in Ewers

Throughout Ewers’ time at Texas, one constant has been Sarkisian’s unwavering belief in his quarterback. Sarkisian has long been known for his ability to develop quarterbacks, and he viewed Ewers as a key part of the Longhorns’ future. Despite the ups and downs, Sarkisian always maintained a sense of pride in Ewers’ development and leadership.

When asked about Ewers’ decision to declare for the NFL Draft, Sarkisian expressed pride in how far his quarterback had come since arriving at Texas.

“Very Proud of Quinn”

“I’m incredibly proud of Quinn,” Sarkisian said in his farewell remarks. “The growth that he’s shown from the first day he arrived on campus until now has been remarkable. It hasn’t always been easy, and it certainly hasn’t always gone according to plan, but he’s shown tremendous character, resilience, and leadership.”

Sarkisian’s praise for Ewers was not just about his physical talent, but also about the maturity and growth he had shown throughout his time at Texas. Sarkisian acknowledged that Ewers had been through a lot—dealing with injury, adjusting to a new program, and carrying the heavy expectations of being a five-star quarterback.

“Quinn handled everything with class, whether it was the ups or the downs,” Sarkisian continued. “He has always been willing to learn, to grow, and to put in the work. I have no doubt that he’s ready for the next step in his career.”

Sarkisian also made it clear that he understood the challenges Ewers faced and that, despite some inconsistency, the quarterback had performed admirably under pressure. “He’s got all the tools, and I know that the NFL is going to get a player with a ton of potential. He’s ready.”

The Decision to Move Forward: Texas’ Next Chapter

As Ewers leaves Texas for the NFL, the Longhorns are preparing for the next era at quarterback, with Arch Manning—another five-star talent—set to take the reins. While the future is filled with excitement around Manning’s arrival, Ewers’ departure represents a significant turning point for Texas football.

For Sarkisian, the task now is to ensure that the program doesn’t miss a beat in its quarterback development. Manning brings his own unique set of skills, but replacing a quarterback like Ewers—who brought leadership, experience, and immense physical talent to the field—will not be easy.

Still, Sarkisian is optimistic about the future, understanding that the program is building toward something bigger. With a dynamic offensive scheme, strong recruiting classes, and a solid supporting cast, Texas has the foundation to be a contender for years to come.

“We’ve got a lot to be excited about with the future of this program,” Sarkisian said. “But I want to take a moment to thank Quinn for everything he did for us. He’s been an integral part of this program’s growth, and I have no doubt that he’ll go on to do great things at the next level.”

Looking Ahead: Ewers’ NFL Prospects

As Quinn Ewers prepares for the 2025 NFL Draft, the eyes of NFL scouts will be on him as they evaluate his potential. Ewers’ physical tools—arm strength, mobility, and size—make him an intriguing prospect, but his development at Texas will also factor into his draft evaluation. While consistency was an issue at times during his college career, his flashes of brilliance will undoubtedly have NFL teams taking a closer look.

Ewers’ draft stock will largely depend on how well he performs in pre-draft evaluations, including the combine and private workouts. If he can show improved mechanics, decision-making, and poise under pressure, he could become a first-round pick, joining the ranks of some of the top quarterbacks in the country.

Regardless of where he ends up, one thing is certain: Ewers’ time at Texas has set the stage for a promising professional career. Sarkisian’s belief in him and their partnership over the past few years has prepared him for the next step in his journey.