Let’s examine the significance of quarterback Quinn Ewers’ announcement on January 11 that he will be returning to Texas for his redshirt junior season, following an exciting week of Longhorn football news.
The foundation of constructing a championship programme is a strong culture of growth and steady improvement. Entering his third season in Austin, Ewers has embodied each of those qualities for the Longhorns.
Ewers’ progress from Year 1 at Texas, when he was still adjusting to Steve Sarkisian’s offence and learning how to attack defences, to Year 2, when he completed 69 percent of his passes, recorded his first-ever fourth-quarter comeback in a 34-24 victory over Alabama, set a record for passing yards in a Big 12 title game (452 yards) while leading Texas to its first conference title since 2009, and almost pulled off the season’s comeback in UT’s first-ever College Football Playoff appearance.
Pro Football Focus gave Ewers an 81.1 rating, making him Texas’ highest-rated player in the Longhorns’ CFP semifinal loss to Washington in the Sugar Bowl (a PFF grade of 70.0 or higher is considered above average). Byron Murphy, a defensive tackle, came in second (78.9).
In Texas’ 34-30 loss to Oklahoma in 2023, one of Ewers’ more remarkable performances occurred when he overcame three turnovers to complete 26 of his final 28 passes, including a school-record 19 straight. With 1:17 remaining in the third quarter, Ewers rallied Texas from a 10-point deficit to take a 30-27 lead. Then, with 15 seconds remaining in regulation, OU’s five-play, 75-yard drive culminated in the game’s winning touchdown.
A source close to Ewers told Horns247, “He got a taste of getting to the College Football Playoff and he believes there’s more to do before he leaves Texas.” “That Big 12 title meant a lot to him, but he wants to continue contributing to the program’s development.”
“I’m not sure if people understand how much to him being a Longhorn means. He aspires to improve the programme to the fullest extent possible.
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