Texas Longhorns QB Quinn Ewers' Last Dance In CFB Can Make Him A Legend

The Texas Longhorns at one point had a generational passing of the baton at the quarterback position, going from Vince Young to Colt McCoy who each ranked in the top 15 of ESPN's best quarterbacks of the 2000s.

It ended up being well over a decade before the program found someone who could genuinely take them to the promised land again in Quinn Ewers. The former five-star took major strides in what was his second year, and instead of declaring for the draft opted to return. A move that can not only improve his draft stock, but solidify his legacy.

Pivoting back to the legends that came before Ewers and who have set the standard. Young led the program to their first title in over 30 years, and at one point was viewed as one of the most dominant players college football had seen until Auburn's Cam Newton came about. Young was a big play waiting to happen every time he touched the ball once he dialed in through the air following a brief benching in 2004. He finished his career with 6,040 passing yards and 44 scores through the air while adding 3,127 rushing and 37 rushing touchdowns. He can also be credited for taking down and essentially ending the dynasty that was USC, whom he beat in arguably the most iconic college football game ever.

McCoy had everything on his resume except for a title thanks to a shoulder injury against Alabama in 2009. He was a two-time Heisman finalist, held the record for completion percentage (76.7%) for 12 years, and amassed over 13,000 passing yards with 112 passing touchdowns and 20 rushing. His injury against Alabama still remains as one of the biggest "what ifs" in college football history, but even without it he is still a legend of the game.

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So how does Ewers stack up to them? Well, at the moment he really doesn't in terms of legacy. Statistically he will pass Young up in passing yards and touchdown passes. He likely won't catch McCoy in anything considering Ewers can start every game possible this season and still only have a max of 39 career games under his belt, while McCoy has 53 to his name. There is just one way that Ewers can go from "really good" college quarterback to a program legend or beyond, which is him leading Texas to a title.

He has already led the program to its first and technically last Big 12 title since 2009 this past season. The gunslinger out of Southlake Carroll who was once ranked as a perfectly rated recruit, was also able to lead Texas to the College Football Playoff for the first time but they fell in a tightly-contested game against Washington. The conference title and playoff appearance certainly has to place him above Sam Ehlinger on the list of Texas greats considering Ehlinger was never quite able to get Texas over the hump despite declaring Texas back after their Sugar Bowl victory over Georgia.

The 2024 season will give Ewers a chance to win a second conference title, this time in an SEC that is as deep and talented as its ever been. It will also give him a chance to take on the toughest gauntlet we have ever seen for a title when you consider the Longhorns have the No. 10 toughest schedule in college football, along with the fact that winning the title in the 12-team playoff could mean playing an additional two games compared to the previous format.

On top of all this, Texas is still fighting to be "back". Some feel as if they have reached that point thanks to the 2023 season, but everyone around college football knows that the program in Austin isn't satisfied with just being in the mix for a title. They want to win one. Being the quarterback to help Texas win a title, compete in the SEC, and go through one of the most difficult paths college football has seen while doing it is nothing to scoff at. Being a main reason that Texas wins it all, is something that college football fans will be unable to forget.

If Ewers is able to overcome a schedule that features No. 9 Michigan, No. 16 Oklahoma, No. 1 Georgia, and No. 20 Texas A&M, win the SEC, and lead Texas to a title he would certainly see his status skyrocket. Especially when you consider that the offense will be leaning more on him following the injuries to running backs CJ Baxter and Christian Clark , which could mean Ewers cannot rely on the play action as much as he did last year.

Per PFF , his completion percentage out of play action concepts was an impressive 75%, but dropped to 61% when on plays without it. He also had 16 touchdowns to three picks out of play action looks, while having just six touchdowns and three interceptions on non-play action plays.

In 2024 he will have a shallow stable of inexperienced running backs which could affect the play calling, and will also have all new receivers to throw to with Xavier Worthy, Adonai Mitchell , Jordan Whittington , and tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders all in the NFL. He does have quite a cast of replacements with Alabama transfer Isaiah Bond, Oregon State transfer Silas Bolden, and Houston transfer Matthew Golden all looking to shine.

If Ewers can continue to improve as he did from 2022 to 2023, which saw his confidence and buy-in grow, his completion percentage go up from 58% to 69%, his passing yards increase by over 1,300, and his touchdowns increase by seven, he could very well establish himself as the best in the country. He has always had that potential, but has yet to harness it and put it on display at all times.

A big year for Ewers can lead to him going down as an icon of the program, but coming up short could leave Texas fans asking "what if" all over again.

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