We are a little over a month away from the college football season starting and what better way than to evaluate athletes who are on the rise. This segment will feature Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers.

The 21-year-old quarterback is poised for a breakout season after capturing a 12-2 win to loss record and reaching the 2024 Sugar Bowl where his team lost to the Washington Huskies in a shootout 37-31. Head coach Steve Sarkisian has implemented a pass heavy offensive attack with Ewers leading the way. The gunslinger will have more opportunities to display his growth and development in Sarkisian’s offense, and build upon his statistical performance from last season.

Ewers has shown improvement since his arrival in Texas, after spending one season with The Ohio State Buckeyes in 2021. This past year, Ewers registered 272/394 completions with 3,479 total passing yards and threw 22 touchdowns to only 6 interceptions, a 158.6 passer rating.

Pro Football Focus wrote an article titled: ‘College Football: The top-10 returning quarterbacks for the 2024 season’ in which author Max Chadwick discussed Ewers and how the gunslinger had a successful season in 2023.

Texas was finally back in 2023 due to the improvement made by its redshirt sophomore quarterback. Ewers led the Longhorns to a Big 12 title and College Football Playoff berth this past season after losing the mullet and the gunslinger mentality that anchored him in 2022. He cut his turnover-worthy play rate by more than half (1.7% in 2023 compared to 3.6% in 2022) and upgraded his PFF passing grade to an 85.6 mark after earning just a 70.9 PFF passing grade as a redshirt freshman.

Ewers led the Power Five in play-action dropbacks this year (240) and wasn’t nearly as effective without it. His 72.2 PFF grade on non-play action dropbacks was just 83rd in the nation. He’ll also need to shoulder more of the weight of the offense next year as Texas lost its top weapons to the NFL draft: wide receivers Xavier Worthy, Adonai Mitchell, Jordan Whittington, running back Jonathon Brooks and tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders. If Ewers can keep improving like he did this past season though, the Longhorns are serious national championship contenders.

Ewers’ Collegiate Statistics: 

2021: N/A

2022: 172/296 for 2,177 Yards, 15 TDs to 6 INTs, 132.6 Passer Rating

2023: 272/394 for 3,479 Yards, 22 TDs to 6 INTs, 158.6 Passer Rating

2024: TBD

Despite losing many offensive weapons to the NFL Draft, Ewers needs to show strong leadership skills and get his other teammates on the same page with him. It may be a rough go around to start the season off, but Sarkisian’s offense caters to the quarterback and playing solid defense.

If the plan changes even slightly, the offense can always establish the running game and lean on Ewers less in the passing attack; however, let it be known that Ewers has a strong ability to pass the football and is accurate and can throw a nice deep ball. He is certainly the type of athlete who the coaching staff must lean on and get the most out of in 2024.