Steve Sarkisian on his message to Quinn Ewers: 'This is your team, go lead them'

Steve Sarkisian wanted to make clear to Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers that this is his team to lead heading into the 2024 season. The Longhorns lose their top four receivers in the pass game from a year ago, putting the pressure on Ewers to direct a new group to success.

He looked sharp in the season opener to complete 20-of-27 passes for 260 yards and three touchdowns to one interception in a 52-0 win against Colorado State. But ahead of a matchup against defending national champion Michigan on Saturday, Sarkisian relayed the message he sent to his starting QB.

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“This is your team, go lead them,” he said on The Herd with Colin Cowherd. “It was about leadership. We knew we were going to have to replace all those pieces and we knew we were going to have to bring in some transfers. We knew we were going to have to rely on some young players on the perimeter. It was going to take Quinn leading them. It was going to take Quinn building the rapport with the receivers and the tight end. It was going to take Quinn stepping up into that leadership role where Jordan Whittington and Jaylan Ford and those guys had moved on from.

“So that’s been our focus and he’s done a tremendous job of that. You can feel his presence. I think he instills confidence and belief into everybody in the organization, not just his teammates.”

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Ewers led the Longhorns to the College Football Playoff this past season while throwing for 3,479 yards and 22 touchdowns to only six interceptions. His return has many projecting Texas as a potential contender for the SEC Championship.

Steve Sarkisian has put out a challenge to Quinn Ewers to be more of a leader this year in light of all of the changes. With a number of transfer receivers coming in, developing chemistry will be key. But so far everything has gone according to plan.

“That’s what quarterbacks do,” Sarkisian said. “That’s why it’s the most important position in sports. If you’ve ever been to Gilette when Tom Brady took the field, it was almost a sigh of relief for everybody in the stands. ‘OK, Tom’s here. We’re good to go.’ I’m sure it’s the same way in Kansas City with Pat Mahomes and so on and so forth. The quarterback is a powerful guy, not only in his play, but I think in the presence and the leadership that he provides.”