Quinn Ewers' parting words to Arch Manning speak volumes
Most of Arch Manning‘s recent interview with ESPN centers around the fact that he’ll be the starting quarterback for the Texas Longhorns in 2025. That wasn’t his role in 2024. Quinn Ewers was the starter and Manning was his backup.
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Ewers’ 36th and final game as the starting quarterback for the Longhorns was against Ohio State in the College Football Playoff semifinals at the Cotton Bowl Classic. Ewers passed for 283 yards and two touchdowns but also had an interception and the decisive fumble forced, recovered, and returned by Jack Sawyer for the nail-in-the-coffin touchdown.
Ewers was incredibly gracious in his postgame press conference, and that attitude continued in the locker room when he spoke with Manning.
“Right after the Ohio State game, I was with Quinn in the locker room,” Manning told ESPN. “He was like ‘enjoy every moment. It goes by quickly. Love on your teammates, and have fun.’ I took that to heart. I’m thankful for everything he did for me.”
Ewers declared for the 2025 NFL Draft less than a week after the end of the Cotton Bowl, choosing the professional route as opposed to returning to Texas or entering the portal to find a place to play his senior season. He isn’t likely to be a first round pick, but he’ll be one of the first signal-callers taken in the 2025 draft.
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The decision assured Manning the starting role in 2025, his third year on campus. The recent interview with ESPN was part of an announcement of Manning’s partnership with Red Bull. The fact that he signed the NIL deal was telling, as Manning’s grandfather, Archie, had long said he wouldn’t be involved with any NIL agreements until he became the starting quarterback.
There has been no official announcement from Steve Sarkisian, but there’s little to no doubt Manning is the starter for the Longhorns when the 2025 season rolls around.
Up to this point in his career, Manning has played in 12 games and has 13 total touchdowns with nine of them through the air and four on the ground. He played in 10 games this past season with two starts, and scored the first touchdown in the Longhorns’ rivalry game with Texas A&M on Texas’ way to a 17-7 win.
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While going through offseason workouts, spring practices, summer training, and preseason camp ahead of the season-opening game versus Ohio State on August 31, he’ll have plenty of advice from the previous starter to lean on, including final parting words provided at the Cotton Bowl.
