Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers announced on Thursday via Instagram that he will forego the 2024 NFL Draft and return for a third season with the Longhorns in 2024. Currently ranked at No. 30 in CBS Sports’ NFL Draft Prospect Rankings, Ewers played a pivotal role in Texas’ successful 2023 season, securing their first Big 12 championship since 2009 and making it to the College Football Playoff, where they fell to Washington in the Sugar Bowl semifinal.
Despite a challenging start in 2022 due to early-season injuries and inconsistency, Ewers showed significant growth during his second season as QB1. In the 2023 season, he accumulated 3,479 passing yards, 22 touchdowns, and rushed for an additional five touchdowns, with only six interceptions.
Ewers faced a setback midseason when he suffered an injury at Houston, causing him to miss two starts. However, the Longhorns managed to win both games with backup Maalik Murphy filling in. Murphy has since transferred to Duke.
With Ewers committing to another season, there’s unfinished business for the former No. 1 overall recruit. The Longhorns aim to return to the College Football Playoff in 2024, seeking their first national championship since 2005. The upcoming season also marks Texas’ move to the SEC, intensifying the competition. Ewers emphasized his commitment to being the quarterback who continuously improves, loves his teammates, and elevates Texas football to the pinnacle of college football success.
Ewers’ decision also postpones the potential debut of Arch Manning at Texas. Manning, the highly-touted prospect from the 2023 recruiting cycle, spent the previous season as the Longhorns’ third-string quarterback. With the top four receivers from 2023 declaring for the draft, having a seasoned quarterback like Ewers in place should ease the transition and growing pains associated with a quarterback change. Manning, though recognizable, is likely to continue learning behind Ewers, especially with the challenge of adjusting to the SEC.
While Manning anticipates his chance in the spotlight, the starting quarterback position at Texas appears secure for Ewers, offering continuity for a team aiming for success in the competitive SEC.