Hudson Card on Texas quarterback competition, friendship with Quinn Ewers

After a disappointing first season, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian looks to bounce back by adding big talent to the roster and by creating competition at every position. The most high-profile battle features returning quarterback Hudson Card and transfer portal acquisition Quinn Ewers for control of the offense.

During player availability after a spring practice, Hudson Card discussed the quarterback competition against Quinn Ewers and their friendship off the field.

“We make each other better,” said Card. “We bring the best out of each other. Just having competition is good. We’re good friends and we support each other. It’s a natural competition, but it’s been good so far.”

Card initially won the quarterback competition against Casey Thompson last season, but after a slow start lost the job and moved into the backup role. He now looks to reclaim the spot but must go through a former No. 1 overall recruit and top 10 transfer portal player from this offseason. Ewers redshirted in his one season at Ohio State but now looks to break onto the field as a starter in his home state.

While Card performed well in limited time last season, throwing for 590 yards, five touchdowns and an interception while rushing for 17 yards and another touchdown in seven games, he has a legitimate chance to be Texas’ starting quarterback.

Hudson Card on transfer portal

Hudson Card is a former On3 Consensus four-star quarterback who could have entered the transfer portal during the college football offseason and quickly found a new home. However, he did not want to do that, instead making the decision to stay put with the Longhorns with hopes of becoming the team’s starter.

Card made it clear that Texas is where he wants to be and he’s looking forward to competing for the starting quarterback job ahead of the 2022 season.

“I mean, this is where I’ve always wanted to play,” Card said. “It’s been my dream school. There’ll be competition everywhere, so I decided just to give it my best shot – and a lot of it, too, is faith and that sort of thing. It’s just where I want to be at this moment, so I’m going to try to take advantage of it.”

As the quarterback battle continues, the commitment of each player to the team as a potential backup could determine the depth Texas has in 2022. Even for the player who loses the battle, every snap could force the team to call their number for the rest of the season.