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Quinn Ewers, the former five-star recruit and NIL trailblazer, may be gone from campus, but his impact remains firmly in the spotlight.
Ewers, once hailed as the quarterback savior for Texas, didn't quite live up to the hype during his final season in 2024.
Despite posting respectable numbers, including 65.8 percent completion rate, 3,472 yards, 31 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions across 14 games, his performances in big moments often fell short. Injuries limited him, but even when on the field, he failed to elevate the Longhorns in pivotal games.
That inconsistency ultimately hurt his NFL stock, and he slid to the seventh and final round of the 2025 NFL Draft, where the skepticism surrounding him only intensified.
One of the most vocal critics is ESPN's Paul Finebaum, who didn't mince words when discussing Ewers' legacy on his show this week.
"The guy that was there last year didn't impress me," Finebaum said. "He didn't impress anyone."
Finebaum's assessment echoed a growing sentiment that Ewers, despite his arm talent and potential, never delivered on expectations in Austin.
His high-profile status, boosted by one of the first seven-figure NIL deals and a cover spot on EA Sports College Football 25, only amplified the disappointment when the results on the field didn't match the headlines.
Arch Manning carries the weight of legacy
But as the spotlight dims on Ewers, it now turns brightly to Arch Manning, the latest heir in the Manning quarterback dynasty.
Manning, who waited patiently behind Ewers, now has the keys to a Longhorns program hungry for national relevance. With his famous lineage and calm poise, many believe he's the one to finally lead Texas back to the promised land.
That belief is shared by longtime Texas columnist Cedric Golden, who ed Finebaum during the segment and offered a stark contrast in tone when discussing the new face of the franchise.
"I think he's going to be the best quarterback at Texas since Colt McCoy," Golden said. "And Colt McCoy had a hell of a career at Texas, those numbers don't lie. So, I do think he's the next great quarterback at Texas after VY (Vince Young) and Colt."