A few weeks ago, Quinn Ewers was honored as one of the top quarterbacks in college football.
Joined by 32 others, it was a statement of where the heralded sophomore stands entering the season.
But, it wasn’t without a reminder of the player — top-rated recruit Arch Manning — who is hovering over his shoulder.
The honor?
The Manning Award watch list.
Fittingly, when 11th-ranked Texas announced the recognition on social media, Ewers’ name was at the top with Manning in bold white letters directly underneath.
Ewers better get used to it.
The nephew of Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks Peyton and Eli Manning may have lost the competition in the spring to Ewers, but he will be waiting in the wings.
The first loss or poor performance and fans will be calling for the top prospect.
And coach Steve Sarkisian, who owns a subpar 13-12 record in two seasons in Austin, may not have the benefit of patience, even if he hasn’t yet announced whether Manning or redshirt freshman Maalik Murphy will be Ewers’ backup.
“You know, I’ve been part of some really good quarterback rooms over the years. Back in the day at USC, I had Carson Palmer, Matt Cassel and Matt Leinart in the same room,” Sarkisian said during the offseason in a radio interview with Colin Cowherd. “I was in a quarterback room with John David Booty and Mark Sanchez in the same room.
“I was in the quarterback room at Alabama with Tua Tagovailoa and Mac Jones in the same room. So this isn’t foreign territory for me.”
Ewers did have a solid first season last fall, helping Texas go 8-5 — with the five losses by a total of 25 points.
The 6-foot-2 Texan threw for 2,177 yards and 15 touchdowns in 10 starts, and showed plenty of potential.
There was also inconsistency, and several narrow defeats.
He has his top three receivers — Xavier Worthy, Jordan Whittington and Ja’Tavion Sanders — back and the Longhorns added another weapon in Georgia transfer Adonai Mitchell. Expectations are through the roof.
Texas last won the Big 12 in 2009, the last season it won more than 10 games.
It was picked to win it this year, adding more pressure to an already pressurized situation.
“There was a certain level of maturity that came out this offseason that had been missing some,” ESPN college football analyst Greg McElroy said in a phone interview, referring to Ewers. “In part due to Arch’s arrival, in part due to Maalik Murphy, his backup. Him kind of pushing a little bit, too.
“There was a different level of ownership and a different level of preparation that went into the spring and into the summer and into fall camp that has led to a more focused Quinn Ewers. I anticipate him having a big year. He’s got a great supporting cast, he’s got great weapons. Now it’s about going out there and executing at a high level against top competition.”
As McElroy said, Evers had a productive offseason.
He got into better shape and took on more ownership of the team befitting a quarterback expected to lead the way.
He got rid of his long mullet and has become more vocal, someone no longer afraid to raise his voice when called upon.
He cut back on his Chick-Fil-A habit, dropping 20 pounds from the Alamo Bowl to the start of fall camp.
“We’ve seen a level of maturity change,” Sarkisian said at the start of camp. “We’ve seen him really dialing in and understanding schematically what we’re trying to do offensively change. We’ve seen him from a morale standpoint, speaking up in team meetings, speaking up on the field from a work-ethic standpoint, and I think he’s earned the respect of his teammates throughout this time and throughout this process.
“What I do know is he’s extremely talented. There’s not a throw he can’t make, he’s got a very high football IQ. And if things go the way we think they can go, the pundits are probably right — he is a first-round draft pick quarterback.”
As the season nears, so much is different for Ewers.
He isn’t still learning the offense, as he was last year.
He has a full season of college football under his belt.
But there are also more expectations placed on him, an offense geared to attack more through the air after the departure to the NFL of Bijan Robinson, and a big-time prospect with a famous last name there in case he falters.
“I learned a whole lot about myself last year and really how much this sport means to me,” Ewers said recently. “It was definitely tough going through what we went through last year. I’m not going to say I’m glad I went through it, but it’s good that I did because it showed me what I need to be for this team and for myself, and how I need to approach things.”
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