Texas QB Quinn Ewers relishes sly nod to Arch Manning hysteria in new Dr Pepper commercial

Props to Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers. Only he can pull off an advertisement for Dr Pepper while poking fun at the hysteria over his backup Arch Manning.

In the newest episodes of Dr Pepper “Fansville,” Ewers gets to play a deputy sheriff alongside the town’s fictional sheriff, played by Brian Bosworth.

A former Oklahoma Sooner and a Texas Longhorn acting together? Anything’s possible these days.

In the 30-second spot, Bosworth says the Ewers needs to call for backup. “We don’t need any backup, I got this,” Ewers said.

Again, the sheriff says they need backup.

“Look, we don’t need any backup, even if he has great hair and famous relatives,” Ewers tells him.

Bosworth responds, “I think we’re talking about two different things here.”

The ad is certainly a clever nod to Manning, who has driven the internet into a clickbait frenzy. It also shows a certain level of confidence Ewers has both in himself and his place in the pecking order at Texas.

Ewers said there should be one more commercial featuring him still to be released.

“My acting career, I think it's gotten a lot better in the past year or so, for sure, Ewers told reporters on Monday.

Bosworth certainly enjoyed a long Hollywood career once his playing days were over. “The Boz” was a household name in the 1980s and a two-time Butkus Award winner for the nation’s best linebacker (1985-86).

“It was really cool. It was cool to get to meet him and talk to him,” Ewers said. “I feel like he's kind of like a trailblazer in the NIL era.”

Related: Quinn Ewers and Texas Football featured heavily as EA Sports College Football video game cover is released

Ewers has become a NIL machine himself. He sponsors a well-known Austin lawyer known for his single-digit phone number and catchy slogan. Ewers has also done ads for Hulu, clothing companies and, of course, EA Sports as the company brought back its popular NCAA College Football video game.

Ewers might be making chump change compared to Manning when his time comes to play for the Longhorns in 2025. Ewers is expected to play this season at UT and then head to the NFL Draft. He’s already being labeled a first-round pick for next April.

Asked jokingly if Manning was going to play in the first half Saturday against Colorado State, Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said “we’ll find out” with a straight face.

“Nice slide. You tried to slide it in,” Sarkisian told a reporter with a smile.

For now, the Longhorns aren’t calling for the backup.

“I’m sorry,” Ewers says in the ad. “Did you say you wanted a Dr Pepper?”