For a program as storied as Texas Longhorns, the stakes are always sky-high. When the Longhorns hit the field, it’s tradition, pride, and, this year, playoff aspirations. But in the chess match that is college football, a single flaw can undo even the mightiest programs. But aren’t Steve Sarkisian and his crew fine either way, considering they are 9-1? The Texas Longhorns legend, former quarterback Chris Simms, thinks the issue might be sitting squarely in the pocket.

On The College Football Show with his brother Matt Simms, Chris offered a critique that should make every Longhorn fan pause. “Quinn Ewers.” But what about the 333-yard Florida Slayer? Some claims by the former QB about Ewers—“Is a below-average mover and runner for today’s college game.” The issue, Simms emphasized, isn’t just Ewers’ lack of mobility; it’s his tendency to linger on his first read, patting the pigskin while waiting for something to develop. “If Sark doesn’t dial it up perfectly,” Simms continued, “he just sits there.” In an era dominated by dual-threat quarterbacks, this could spell trouble for Texas when the playoffs pit them against elite defenses.

Simms didn’t stop there. He highlighted Texas’ lack of a consistent run game as another concern. While the defense has been nothing short of stellar—”an impressive group,” in Simms’ words—the offense has leaned heavily on the passing attack. “When the passing game isn’t hitting on all cylinders, we can’t lean on the run game,” he noted. This imbalance has been evident in games where the Longhorns struggled to close out opponents, putting more pressure on Ewers to deliver under duress.

Statistically, the concerns are valid. Texas ranks in the middle of the pack nationally in rushing yards per game. A surprising weakness for a program that has historically boasted dominant ground games. Ewers’ passing efficiency, while solid, hasn’t always translated to adaptability under pressure. His passer rating drops significantly when forced to move off his first read—a red flag as Texas prepares for defenses designed to exploit these tendencies. The 176 yards and just 1 TD game against Arkansas, his lowest so far, is a fresh example. In all of this talk, where does his future lie? Straight from Coach Sarks about what could be next for Quinn Ewers.

Steve Sarks on Quinn Ewers’ future: is it bright or dim?

All of these critics and blah blah stops when it comes to potential. As everyone knows, Sarks has a stacked QB room in both the #3 and Arch Manning. Quinn Ewers might be gearing up for his final home game in Austin, with NFL Draft eligibility looming in 2025. But if the Longhorns make a CFP run, his stock could soar to first-round potential.

Well, don’t ask Coach Sarkisian about it—when pressed, he shut it down with a curt “No idea” and kept it moving. For now, the focus stays on this weekend’s clash against Kentucky, leaving the future for another day. After missing some action with few injuries in his college career, there’s no doubt he is a playmaker. He’s thrown for 1,898 yards and 21 touchdowns with just six interceptions this season. With that, his future looks bright enough!