Kelvin Banks explains Quinn Ewers' mindset, leadership entering 2024

Texas has lofty goals in 2024, and a new challenge to reach them, playing in the SEC. But much of the hope for the Longhorns stems from the fact they have one of the best quarterbacks in the country in Quinn Ewers.

Kelvin Banks, one of Texas’ tackles and tasked with blocking for Ewers, has an intimate view into how the quarterback is feeling going into his third year as the starter. And the overall vibe from Ewers is a placid one, which Banks said belies some of the intensity that lies beneath.

“I’d say his leadership and how cool, calm and collected he is,” Banks said of Ewers at SEC Media Days. “He’s a very low-key guy but when it comes time to work, he lets you hear it.” 

In 2023, Ewers completed 69% of his passes for 3479 yards and 22 touchdowns to six interceptions, as Texas made the College Football Playoff.

A repeat season, and with some likely improvements and refines, might have the Longhorns right back in the mix in 2024.

ESPN analysts took stock of Texas’ chances in the SEC

ESPN’s Paul Finebaum and Heather Dinich know Texas has the talent to win the SEC in the Longhorns’ first year in the conference.

But, it’ll take quite the effort to do it over teams like Georgia, Alabama and Ole Miss. Still, the talent is there for Steve Sarkisian and company.

But Texas, arguably, goes through one man: Ewers.

“If Quinn Ewers, number one, can stay healthy, he has not been healthy in the past,” Finebaum said on Get Up. “He’s missed a number of games, even though they do have Arch Manning as a backup and I think he can be elite. (Quinn is) one of the best quarterbacks in the country over the last couple of years going into college and even last year at various times. But he can’t have off games, not with his schedule that Texas has, so if he’s elite, Texas has a real shot.”

Dinich agreed Texas has the chops to get it done. However, the passing defense is the key for her when it comes to the Longhorns competing with the elite teams in the SEC and making a playoff run.

“Absolutely. They’ve got the depth that it’s going to take to contend for the national title because when you’re playing a season that long, that’s what you need,” Dinich said. “Sark has that on the offense and defense. They gotta get better though at pass defense.

“It’s still a premium at winning the SEC. They ranked 113th in the country last year in pass defense allowing about 250 yards per game. That Washington game, they racked up like 400 passing yards. The loss to OU, the same. Over 280 yards. They’ve got to shore that up to win the SEC.”