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Texas QB Quinn Ewers takes the high road in response to Arizona St. QB Sam Leavitt

Eric Nahlinby:Eric Nahlin•12/30/24
Quinn Ewers
Quinn Ewers (Will Gallagher/Inside Texas)

If there’s one word that might define Quinn Ewers in his three years at Texas it might be ‘maturity’.

Ewers arrived in Austin from Columbus with his, at the time, trademark mullet and scruffy beard. There was also a hint of ‘extra’ weight not conducive to athletic pursuits. Realizing he was no longer able to get by with his natural gifts, beginning with Alamo Bowl preparation his first year, Ewers began to lock in and take the sport more seriously. It was a literal news story when he cut his hair. People were taken aback when they saw him for the first time with his new look, like Christian Slater in Gleaming the Cube.

Along with his maturing appearance away from the field, Ewers began maturing on the field after and up and down first year. His second season still featured adversity as he struggled to stay healthy, but he helped lead Texas back to national prominence, the Big 12 title, and a place in the four-team College Football Playoffs. This season has partially mirrored last season, including the issue with nagging injuries, but he has shown growth from the standpoint of processing and Texas once again in the playoffs after finishing runner-up for the SEC crown.

His counterpart in Wednesday’s Peach Bowl, Sam Leavitt, may still have some maturing to do. That wouldn’t be a surprise, he is only a redshirt freshman, after all. 

On Saturday, Leavitt said, “I’m going to prove why I’m the better quarterback.” That’s certainly not the most controversial pre-game statement ever uttered. And, perhaps he’s one that tries to speak things into existence. There’s just one problem. This isn’t the Elite 11 or a quarterback competition. It’s a football game and Leavitt is lining up with Arizona State’s team, and without it’s second best offensive player, wide receiver Jordyn Tyson, against a Texas defense that features stars at all three levels of the defense. 

Here is Ewers’ response:

While Ewers seems unbothered by Leavitt’s statements, what will Texas defenders think? Freshman Edge phenom Colin Simmons already made it known he’s aware of Leavitt’s confidence level.

In the last two seasons bulletin board material hasn’t gone well for Texas opponents. We’ll see how things go for Leavitt on Wednesday as Texas and Arizona State face off in the CFP quarterfinals.

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