2022 Texas Longhorns Spring Football Preview: Quarterbacks

Steve Sarkisian often stated he wouldn’t have taken the Longhorn head coaching job if he didn’t like the quarterback room. When he took over the program in January 2021, he had Casey Thompson, fresh off a stellar performance versus Colorado in the Alamo Bowl, and Hudson Card, a highly-touted Lake Travis product, there at his disposal.

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Sarkisian didn’t decide who would succeed Sam Ehlinger in the spring. He kept the competition open through the early stages of pre-season camp before naming Card the starter, still acknowledging Thompson would receive playing time.

Card’s first game was solid, but his follow-up performance at Arkansas led to him being benched in favor of Thompson. Against Rice, Texas Tech, and TCU, Thompson successfully orchestrated the Longhorn offense in wins leading into a Red River Shootout chock-full of storylines for the son of Oklahoma quarterback Charles Thompson.

Casey put up monster stats in the Cotton Bowl, but a thumb injury suffered in the later portion of the game drastically altered his season. He showed up versus Oklahoma State the next week with a wrap on his throwing hand. Following a pivotal second quarter pick-six that proved to be 2021’s turning point, Thompson was limited in his effectiveness.

It was up-and-down going forward. He was benched at Iowa State, then threw six touchdowns versus Kansas in a loss, then had to leave the contest at West Virginia before serving as a limited part of the gameplan in the season finale versus Kansas State.

Card didn’t light the world on fire in his opportunities versus the Cyclones and the Mountaineers, and missed the game versus the Wildcats entirely.

Sarkisian made it clear in the stretch of the season he planned to address the quarterback room. He brought in Maalik Murphy, an early enrollee, from the high school ranks. Then, one of the biggest transfer dominoes of the offseason dropped when Quinn Ewers entered the portal. Sarkisian was on the recruitment immediately, and landed a commitment from the Five-Star Plus+ quarterback in short order.

Soon after, Thompson entered the portal and transferred to Nebraska.

Ewers originally graduated and enrolled at Ohio State in order to take advantage of Name, Image, and Likeness opportunities and start the clock early on his planned path toward professional football. The timing of his arrival in Columbus was not conducive to him competing with eventual Heisman runner-up CJ Stroud for the starting quarterback job.

Now, Ewers arrives at Texas with a perception he’ll take the reins. Card will compete in his second quarterback competition, looking to end up as Sarkisian’s first choice a second time.

Past previews: Wide receiver | Running back | Tight end

2022 quarterbacks

Departures: Casey Thompson (Nebraska transfer)

Returners: Hudson Card, Charles Wright, Ben Ballard, Cole Lourd

Newcomers: Quinn Ewers (Ohio State transfer), Maalik Murphy (early enrollee)

2021 production

Card appeared in eight games with starts in the first two games of the season versus Louisiana and Arkansas. He was 51-for-83 for 590 yards with five touchdowns and one interception. He also added a rushing touchdown in the season opener versus the Ragin’ Cajuns.

Ballard and Wright both made brief appearances in one game apiece.

Ewers saw the field in one game for the Buckeyes in 2021, handing the ball off twice versus Michigan State.

Spring preview

Just like last year, Sarkisian doesn’t have any reason to name a starting quarterback based off the 15 practices in March and April. It’s in his best interest to keep both Card and Ewers for the 2022 season, no matter if someone looks like an obvious choice in the spring. Otherwise, unproven backup options like Wright, Ballard, and Lourd are all that’s left.

For Card, it’s his second year in the Sarkisian offense. Card won the job behind the closed doors of practice but struggled when the lights came on. It’s key that he not only show he continue to find success on the practice field but also to let others know about it, too. It’s cliche, but becoming more of a vocal leader likely will go a long way for his confidence, and the confidence of his teammates in him.

Ewers is used to the rigors of a college program, but lacks experience in Sarkisian’s system. Learning the playbook and showing an understanding of it is key in his first semester in Austin.

“We’ve been rotating those guys pretty fairly today and we probably will here throughout spring,” Sarkisian said Tuesday. “Like I said, I think we owe both those guys an opportunity. Hud, to see as he continues to grow into year three and year two in our system and his development. Quinn, he’s trying to digest a lot from our scheme and our terminology in understanding how we go about our business. A lot of rotation with those guys.

Of course, both should work to build rapport with pass-catchers like Xavier Worthy, Isaiah Neyor, Jordan Whittington, Marcus Washington, Jahleel Billingsley, and Ja’Tavion Sanders.

Lourd, Ballard, and Wright will likely battle for the third spot, but a strong spring from anyone from that trio could put them in position to be a factor in the starting quarterback competition come the fall.

Murphy is nursing an ankle injury suffered in his state championship game, and needs to improve some mechanical aspects of his game. Still, he possesses an arm talent that, if fully healthy, could see him contend with Lourd, Ballard, and Wright as spring carries on.

There are only so many reps to go around, and only one quarterback is on the field at a time. Whether first-string or fifth-string, each quarterback has to utilize the limited amount of opportunities available.

What’s the main emphasis from Sarkisian for his signal-callers in these 15 practices?

“I’d like them to have a real understanding of what we’re trying to do,” Sarkisian said. “What is the emphasis on every play, whether it’s play action pass, a drop-back pass, quick game, an RPO, a run-pass option with an advantage throw, a run check? Just managing those things first because that’s telling me that they have an understanding of what we’re trying to do each day. I think secondly is understanding of the defense. What are the fronts? What are the coverages? What are the pressures, and making the necessary reads there. To do that, their eyes need to be in the right spot.”

And finally: “Obviously the ability to make the play.”