Steve Sarkisian, confident in his QB development ability, sees big things in Quinn Ewers' future

Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian has coached quarterbacks at the college or pro level for over two decades. He’s had several notable protégés, including Carson Palmer, Matt Leinart, Mark Sanchez, Jake Locker, Tua Tagovailoa, and Mac Jones.

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“I think our track record speaks for itself,” Sarkisian said during a recent stop of the Texas Exes Texas Fight Tour. “I think in the last 20 years, I’ve had five quarterbacks get drafted in the top 10 picks of the NFL draft. It’s a little bit attractive to come play in our system, to get developed, come to the University of Texas and get a world-class education, live in the city of Austin, and be on the face of, in my opinion, the best brand in all of sports.”

Sarkisian is confident in his ability to develop quarterbacks, even as he’s added responsibilities since his first season as a Power Five assistant with USC in 2001. It’s been the foundation of his coaching career since he broke into the industry at El Camino College in 2000.

One thing Sarkisian has repeatedly said he’s learned during his 20 years of cultivating signal-callers is that the second year under his tutelage is where major progress is shown.

“Generally in our system in year two is when you make those strides and become that elite player,” Sarkisian said. “I saw it with Carson Palmer. In year two, he wins the Heisman trophy and ends up the first pick in the draft. I saw it in Matt Leinart. I saw it in Jake Locker, and he ended up being the 10th pick in the draft.”

Sarkisian worked with Palmer as the USC quarterbacks coach from 2001 to 2003. After a decent 2001 season, Palmer surged to a 309-for-489 campaign in 2002 with 3942 yards and 33 touchdowns on his way to the Heisman Trophy. Palmer was selected first overall by Cincinnati in the 2003 NFL draft.

Sarkisian wasn’t around for Leinart’s Heisman campaign in 2004. He was coaching quarterbacks with the Oakland Raiders, who missed the playoffs under head coach Norv Turner. However, Sarkisian’s second year coaching Leinart, the 2005 campaign, was statistically the best by the eventual 10th overall pick by Arizona in the 2006 draft.

Locker’s statistics didn’t improve during Year 2 with Sarkisian. However, the Washington Huskies improved from 5-7 to 7-5 in 2010 thanks to Locker and a run game buoyed by Chris Polk. The Titans picked Locker eighth overall in the 2011 draft.

In more recent years, Jones stands as evidence of Sarkisian’s boasts. After a year spent mostly as the backup to Tagovailoa in 2019, Jones skyrocketed to a third place finish in Heisman voting in 2020 thanks to his command of one of the most prolific offenses in recent memory. His efforts resulted in a first-round selection by New England.

Ahead of the 2023 season at Texas, Sarkisian believes Quinn Ewers is set to make a similar Year 2 leap.

“I’ve seen it in years and years of playing in our system, and I love what Quinn can bring,” Sarkisian said.

Ewers steps into the campaign with plenty of expectations. One of the highest rated quarterback prospects ever, Ewers was 172-for-296 for 2177 yards in 2022 with 15 touchdowns over six interceptions. He had his ups, but he had his down moments as well.

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Sarkisian commented throughout the spring that Ewers, who he named as the starting quarterback over Maalik Murphy and Arch Manning, had made progress in critical on- and off-field areas.

“We lost a couple of really good leaders in Roschon (Johnson) and Bijan (Robinson) last year off our offense, but we didn’t lose a whole lot more,” Sarkisian said. “We’re returning 10 starters. So (it’s) him stepping into the fold and being that guy.”

Pair Ewers’ elevated standing with the team and increased expectations in Texas’ final Big 12 season, and it doesn’t get much simpler than the way Sarkisian closed his comments on Ewers.

“We expect to see the same things from Quinn and he’s shown us that through spring ball so far,” he said.”