Written by Ed Smith @edsmith7134
Little did Mick Jones of The Clash know, when he wrote the song in 1981, that he was writing the calling card of the 2024 off-season for the Texas Longhorns’ quarterback room. Many questions are following the reports that starter Quinn Ewers has said he is “90% sure” he will be back for his Redshirt Junior year—primarily, questions having to do with the uncertainty of the off-season movement that is available to players. Currently, Texas Longhorns quarterback roster has three highly touted signal callers in their program – Ewers, Maalik Murphy, and Arch Manning. Each has a different path in front of him.
If I Go, There Will Be Trouble
Should each of these players stick with the program, it would create a crowded and unclear depth chart heading into Spring Practice next March. Since Ewers is the unquestioned starter for the team this season, it is expected that a return to the college ranks would put him as the front-runner for leading the team next season. Of course, this is a challenge he has already taken on once coming into this season—a challenge he met by transforming his body and mind. Ewers got more fit, embraced his role in leadership on the team, and took on a new purpose of faith. This has led to an improvement not only in his own performance but that of the team as a whole, a great look for a Texas Longhorns quarterback. As of now, the team is ranked seventh in the country with an opportunity to win out and be included in the last four-team College Football Playoff.
However, injuries in the last two years have hindered Ewers’ growth and caused him to miss multiple games. It is believed that he is aiming to get through a full season injury-free before moving ahead in his football career by declaring to participate in the NFL draft.
The backup who played in Ewers’ absence this year is Maalik Murphy. He is the highly touted Redshirt Freshman from Inglewood, California, with the imposing frame and rocket arm. The first start of his career came in week eight, filling in for the injured Ewers. Murphy successfully led the Longhorns to a victory against BYU by a score of 35-7. The following week brought a win against Kansas State, though Murphy struggled against the tough Wildcats team. Ewers was back for the game on November 12 at TCU. Having the ability to play full games both weeks was also a plus for Manning. The gentle giant is competing with both Ewers and Manning for some limelight in such a high-profile quarterback room. But he seems to like it that way. A leader by example, Murphy is proving that you don’t have to be loud and boisterous to get noticed, even with the talent around him. Because Murphy is an underclassman, his only option to leave the program would be to transfer to another team. There is plenty of interest across the country for his services should he choose to enter the transfer portal and forego the remainder of his time on the 40 acres.
The most recent high-profile addition to the Texas Longhorns quarterback rotation is Arch Manning. A huge hype machine preceded him during the recruitment process, as he is the nephew of Super Bowl Champions Peyton and Eli Manning. The media-savvy Manning has been willing and content to spend his first year in Austin building his body and learning the system. Many fans had theorized that Manning would be the starter as conference realignment leads the Longhorns into the Southeastern Conference. But news of Ewers staying for his Junior season has started a wildfire of rumors about where Manning will go since it is likely that he would be the backup going into next season. However, it has also been reported by Manning’s grandfather (NFL Hall of Famer), Archie Manning, that he is content in Austin. Whether that remains the case once the transfer portal opens is a question that is consuming the fan base. Arch Manning was the number one recruit for the incoming 2023 class, and it was something of a surprise when he selected Texas over other possible suitors. Much like Ewers, he saw the value of learning under the tutelage of Coach Sarkisian, which prompted him to sign his letter of intent to attend the University of Texas.
And If I Stay, It Will Be Double
There is a real possibility that all three quarterbacks decide their best course of action is to stay where they are. This creates a much stronger competition amongst the participants in the quarterback room, which also includes Charles Wright, the sophomore from Austin High School. What team in the country wouldn’t want to have a stacked room of signal callers? It’s the best problem to have in the eyes of Steve Sarkisian: a total of four players who are already on a high level and want to develop beyond their peers.
In the case of Quinn Ewers, his draft prospects took a dip with the injury he suffered against Houston on October 21. Scouts have raised concerns about the durability of the 20-year-old as the pro game is faster and more physical. Another year in strength and conditioning, as well as another year under former NFL Offensive Coordinator (Head Coach Steve Sarkisian), would better prepare him for the game beyond college. Considering the growth that Ewers has had in the last year, there is nothing that says he couldn’t have an even larger jump in his abilities after next year. That would mean sacrificing a year to make sure he can improve but would also avoid the possibility of being overlooked due to the amount of talent that is set to be drafted the weekend of April 25-27, 2024. Ewers is in a position to call his own shot. The unquestioned leader of a top-ten football team gets that kind of platform. What it means for his teammates is the biggest hurdle.
Arch Manning is all too familiar with the media hype machine that continues to tell him why he should leave. By all accounts, he wants to stay and grow in his current situation. There is value to not playing right away. His uncles know that. Their careers consisted of exercising patience when it was needed. Choosing to stay would mean developing that patience, which brings consistency in the long run, and the skills to be a great teammate while waiting for one’s turn to lead. These lessons could create a perspective that will serve him well as Manning carves his own path to the NFL.
Finally, we have Murphy, who, unlike Ewers and Manning, wasn’t the overall highest-graded recruit in his class but brings the value of being a football player beyond being the starter—a value that can be expanded the longer he stays in Austin. He is already on the 40 acres. He knows who his coach is, what his expectations are, what it takes to exceed those expectations, and what to expect when he is called upon to lead. These are tangible skills that can’t be gained in a hasty exit from the program through the transfer portal.
So Come On and Let Me Know
Fans of the Longhorns are rabid and greedy. They want it all – three quarterbacks who can lead their team to a National Championship, continued recruiting classes that are tops in the nation, and nobody to ever leave before it’s time. They sit on pins and needles right now, waiting for decisions from all of their players heading into next year—but especially the three quarterbacks. One thing is for sure – once the final whistle blows on the 2023 season, you may hear the sounds of early 80s progressive rock ringing in the ears of everybody in the Texas Longhorn program. All looking for the answer to that question that Mick Jones asked 42 years ago, “Should I Stay Or Should I Go?”