Quinn Ewers’ announcement that he will return to Texas, though not unexpected, created a question for the Longhorns and backup quarterback Arch Manning.
It’s no longer a one-year stint on the bench for Manning, who committed to Texas months after Ewers transferred to the Longhorns from Ohio State. As the No. 1 player and quarterback in the class of 2023, he seemingly expected to learn for a season and then have his turn for at least two years.
With Ewers coming back, Texas once again has the top two quarterback prospects of any graduated high school class of the 2020s. Manning had a 0.9995 rating on the 247Sports Composite in 2023 while Ewers earned the rare 1.000 in 2021.
— Quinn Ewers (@QuinnEwers) January 11, 2024
By the time next season starts, will they still have both? Or will Manning have transferred and Ewers have just one year left?
The social media platform X seemed to know the answer. Shortly after the announcement, not only was Ewers trending, but Manning was as well with jokes being shot off about the freshman’s future.
Arch Manning slidin up to the transfer portal pic.twitter.com/UZzF15VpJs
— PILLip Banks 💊💉⚖️ (@TeriosDaddy) January 11, 2024
Arch Manning to the Texas HC pic.twitter.com/CoxH9JDCHV
— Sammy Clause 🎅 (@Flxmingoz) January 11, 2024
Arch Manning to Quinn Ewers today pic.twitter.com/yRUn2UTrlw
— Daniel Berhane (@dannyberhane) January 11, 2024
Arch Manning on his way to Alabama https://t.co/PD72UBOx9J pic.twitter.com/JHAwnkl0v3
— HeyZeus Where-ta (@Pandaddy7) January 11, 2024
A transfer is not certain
As a rule of thumb, X users often do NOT know the answer. Could Manning be content to sit a second year, enjoying the Texas team and community and learning behind Ewers?
Ewers had an excellent season, throwing for 3,479 yards with 22 touchdowns and six interceptions at a 69% completion rate. He helped Texas win the Big 12 and reach the College Football Playoff, where the Longhorns lost to Washington in the Sugar Bowl. It’s unlikely there will be a true quarterback battle with his stability and future career at stake.
Top graduated quarterbacks of the 2020s
Here is the list of the top 10 quarterbacks who have already graduated in a class in the 2020s. With Ewers and Manning at the top, Texas has the best “problem” possible.
- Quinn Ewers: 1.0000 (2021)
- Arch Manning: 0.9995 (2023)
- Bryce Young: 0.9994 (2020)
- Nico Iamaleava: 0.9980 (2023)
- Dante Moore: 0.9977 (2023)
- Jackson Arnold: 0.9963 (2023)
- Caleb Williams: 0.9969 (2021)
- Malachi Nelson: 0.9951 (2023)
- Cade Klubnik: 0.9951 (2022)
- DJ Uiagalelei: .9949 (2020)
That’s just among quarterbacks who have graduated. The future of QB is in good hands, with high school stars like Julian Sayin (0.9970), Dylan Raiola (0.9965) and DJ Lagway (0.9959) in the class of 2024 and Bryce Underwood (0.9999) headlining the class of 2025 with a rating higher than even Manning’s.
