The controversy and constant tension surrounding Quinn Ewers has been a recurring theme in Texas football. Be it a comparison with Arch Manning, who replaced him in the starting spot after an injury hurdle, or some of his sloppy games. Ewers kept on feeding gossip. Fans vehemently demanded that Manning be allowed a chance to shine, but coach Sarkisian has held it off so far. Will this decision cost him a win against Clemson in the playoffs? Well, it might be if the third-year starter won’t be careful about his certain mistakes during the big day at DKR.

Steve Sarkisian made a blunder in his SEC title game against the Bulldogs. His unwavering faith in Ewers backfired brutally. At the end of the second quarter, the Longhorns held a solid chance to win with a 6-3 lead. However, Quinn Ewers’ interception issues, a lack of big plays, and the overall offensive slump changed the game pretty quickly. Kirby Smart boys made the staggering comeback and walked off with a 16-13 victory. A red flag for Steve Sarkisian! Should he again’ take the risk on the 21-year-old?

Pat Forde of Yahoo Sports blasts his inconsistency, noting,‘ ‘I think it is a big stage for Quinn Ewers, who sometimes plays very well and sometimes makes major mistakes. His QB rating for the last four games hadn’t been very good. You know, since they lit up Florida, was in disarray Arkansas, Kentucky, Texas A&M, Georgia. He’s just kind of been, you know, he makes some really nice throws, and then he makes some bad throws and interceptions, a fumble, whatever.”

Ewers and his QB opponent in the first round, Cade Klublink, had a storied past. As they share the same native place and same school (Texas High School), they took offense to the storm together and spread terror for the opponents’ defenses many times in the past. Those golden days are long gone. Both the star-studded QBs went in their separate ways and now are on the verge of meeting each other from different ends of the field in a high-stakes playoff game. A win will bring either player closer to a national title.

”I think he needs to show up and play well, Cade Clubnik, the Texas kid who left the state to go to Clemson, so a big homecoming stage for him,” Forde noted, addressing the deeper motivation for Ewers to put on his best this weekend.

However, another parallel narrative about Quinn Ewers has been trending for a while. If we go by this, the game against Tigers can be his final run in the orange jersey. Does that really sound like a ‘food for thought’?

Quinn Ewers might be in his final stretch for the Longhorns

Ewers had a stupendous start to the season with a total of 691 yards, 8 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions in the first three games of the season. However, as he took tears in his oblique during a tiff fight against UTSA, the good start has shaken off. Ewers had to sit out and watch Arch Manning doing his job with a flawless finish. Fans started to bank on the QB with the legendary NFL blood, watching his average of 11.6 yards per attempt and 16.4 yards per completion.

However, as time progressed, Ewers claimed back his spot before the Red River Rivalry game vs. Oklahoma, and Manning, who took an instrumental role in the Georgia game, had to take a backseat again. But things have not been the same for Ewers ever since. It seems the ‘passing the torch’ moment is inevitable. It’s written clearly in the stats who is going to lead the Longhorns shortly.

Don’t be surprised if the five-star prospect of the 2021 recruiting class won’t be back in his collegiate boots. According to several sources, he is planning for a 2025 NFL draft. He’s just here for the playoffs. The next stop will be the professional ranks.

He has a $4M offer to be back at the college, but the Texas native won’t care much. If Texas wins the title, maybe, just maybe, it will be the sweetest tribute to their huge star on the redemption.