Steve Sarkisian explains how Quinn Ewers' command has created confidence at Texas

All signs point toward a Quinn Ewers breakout season in 2023. In Texas‘ final season in the Big 12, he’s hoping to capture a conference title and then some before his college career is over.

Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian revealed how the offense is coming along with less than two weeks before the season begins, but particularly how Ewers’ command has lifted up everyone around him.

“There’s a lot less anxiousness and anxiety amongst not only Quinn but everyone. When the quarterback permeates belief and confidence, I think it installs that not only in the offensive players but in the entire organization,” Sarkisian said. “That’s why the position is what it is.

“I think Quinn definitely has a lot of confidence right now. He is executing at a high level but there are a lot of little things that we keep working with him on. I think he appreciates that. Ultimately, we’re trying to make him and every player the best that we can.”

Ewers had an up-and-down first year in Austin as he passed for 2,177 yards and 15 touchdowns in 10 starts. Texas finished 6-4 in Ewers’ 10 starts, but the Longhorns and Ewers are expected to be improved this year.

Ewers’ strongest performance, which PicKell pointed out, was during the Longhorns’ 49-0 beatdown of Oklahoma in 2022. The former five-star recruit finished the game completing 21-for-31 passes while throwing for 289 yards, four touchdowns and an interception.

Pair Ewers with the likes of Xavier Worthy, AD Mitchell, Johntay Cook II and more out wide — and the former five-star quarterback has the pieces in place to become one of the top quarterbacks in the country in 2023.

Still, Ewers is always trying to improve his game. Sarkisian recognizes that effort, and Ewers’ consistency at trying to get better shows in his performance on the practice field.

“Whether it’s fundamentals, whether it’s progression, whether it’s pocket presence, whether it’s tempo — whatever that looks like — that there’s a level of consistency at that position that I think ultimately drives the unit,” Sarkisian said. “We’ve gotta keep working on that.”

After opening the season against Rice on Sept. 2, the Longhorns will have a chance for redemption and to put the nation on notice when they travel to Tuscaloosa for a rematch against Alabama. A victory in T-Town would change everything for Ewers, Sarkisian and the Texas program, especially ahead of the Longhorns jump to the SEC the following season.