Longhorns QB Quinn Ewers' comments are a microcosm of Texas fans joining the SEC

Texas is headed into the Southeastern Conference in 2024, and the Longhorns want that to be known loudly and clearly.

Quarterback Quinn Ewers fully embodied that with some remarks to be remembered whenever he spoke to the media at the Manning Passing Academy, making Texas out as the team to beat in the new SEC.

“We’re going to be everybody’s biggest game, for sure,” Ewers said. "It’s definitely a different level. I’ve always wanted to play in the SEC. I know we’re all excited to be a part of a conference like that.”

That's a bold statement to make, considering the Georgia Bulldogs head into the season ranked as the best team in the nation, chasing another national title after they controversially missed the College Football Playoff for the 2023 season.

Ewers and the Longhorns did make it into the dance, falling painfully short to the Washington Huskies in the Sugar Bowl, 37-31.

The quarterback seems to be aware of the gravity of his statement, though, as he prepares for action in what is widely seen as the toughest conference to compete in across college football.

“Football definitely means a lot for that conference,” Ewers said. “We’re going into it full speed. We want to win the SEC Championship, and we want to accomplish what we were so close to accomplishing last year. I know that we have a team that’s more than capable of doing that.”

Ewers' bold words aren't the only thing that stands out and catches attention in regard to Texas joining the conference.

UT recently hosted its own celebration of becoming a part of the SEC with an all-day event that included fireworks, live music, games and more of the Longhorns campus with an appearance by rapper and singer, Pitbull.

“UT’s move to the Southeastern Conference is an extraordinary moment for Texas Athletics, Longhorn Nation and our entire University. It is only fitting that we celebrate this occasion with a Texas-sized party on the Forty Acres, open to all,” UT President Jay Hartzell said in a news release. “We are excited to bring our passion, history and commitment to excellence to our new conference, and this event will be a chance to highlight the University’s winning tradition and all it means to be a Longhorn.”

With loaded competition abound on the schedule, there's no question that Texas is confident in itself to make it back to the same stage and perhaps further in 2024.

But there's also no question they'll be met with plenty of skeptics and doubters as the team begins the road to what they hope will be a championship with a schedule that starts with a matchup against Colorado State on Aug. 31.