Let’s discuss, Longhorn Confidential (regarding Quinn Ewers and the Texas football season)

The Texas Longhorns football program, one of the most storied programs in college football, is no stranger to high expectations and intense scrutiny. In 2024, the spotlight was once again firmly placed on Texas, but this time, the attention was primarily focused on one player: Quinn Ewers, the talented and often polarizing quarterback who was entrusted with leading the Longhorns to greatness.

The story of Quinn Ewers and his role in Texas football during the 2024 season is much more than just a tale of athletic prowess. It is a story of expectations, pressure, growth, and resilience in the face of the immense challenges that come with playing quarterback for one of the most high-profile programs in the country. This is the story of how Ewers navigated the ups and downs of a season that could define the trajectory of the Longhorns’ program for years to come.

A New Era at Texas: The Arrival of Quinn Ewers

When Quinn Ewers committed to Texas in 2021, his arrival was heralded as a potential turning point for the Longhorns. The high school prodigy, who had reclassified to enter college early, was viewed as one of the most gifted quarterbacks to come out of Texas in years. He was the No. 1 recruit in the country, boasting an arm talent that could rival any quarterback in college football. His decision to leave Ohio State after just one season and return to his home state to play for the Longhorns had Texas fans buzzing with excitement.

Ewers was widely considered the future of Texas football. But with the immense hype surrounding his arrival came sky-high expectations. In a state where high school football reigns supreme, and where the Longhorns are expected to be contenders year in and year out, Ewers quickly became the face of the program. The question wasn’t whether Texas would be good with him under center—it was whether he could lead them back to the promised land of college football glory.

The 2024 Season: The Pressure Builds

As the 2024 season approached, Quinn Ewers found himself in a unique and challenging position. Despite his potential, he was stepping into a Texas program that had underperformed for years. The Longhorns had not won a Big 12 Championship since 2009, and their last national championship came all the way back in 2005. The expectations on Ewers were astronomical, and he knew that his performance on the field could determine not only his future but the future of the entire Texas football program.

The pressure was undeniable, but Ewers embraced the challenge. Under head coach Steve Sarkisian, the Longhorns had a system in place that was designed to get the best out of Ewers. Sarkisian, known for his ability to develop quarterbacks, was committed to helping Ewers reach his full potential. The two formed a strong relationship early on, with Sarkisian serving as both a mentor and a coach who could provide the guidance Ewers needed to thrive in such a high-pressure environment.

One of the most talked-about aspects of Ewers’ 2024 season was his ability to manage the mental side of the game. As talented as he was, Ewers had to prove that he could handle the pressure of being Texas’ starting quarterback. There were whispers from some corners that Ewers might crack under the weight of expectation, but Ewers was determined to prove them wrong.

The Highs and Lows: A Rollercoaster Start to the Season

The 2024 season started with plenty of promise. Ewers and the Longhorns stormed through their early-season schedule, picking up impressive wins over lesser opponents and starting the season with an undefeated record. Ewers looked sharp, showing off his ability to make deep throws, read defenses, and take control of the game. His connection with star wide receiver Xavier Worthy was electric, and the Texas offense seemed to be clicking on all cylinders.

But as with any football season, the challenges started to mount. Texas faced tougher competition as they entered the heart of their Big 12 schedule, and Ewers was forced to show his mettle against some of the nation’s best defenses. There were moments of brilliance—game-winning drives, laser-perfect throws, and signs of the elite quarterback that Longhorn fans had been hoping for—but there were also moments of inconsistency.

The first real test for Ewers came against Alabama, a top-ranked team with a vaunted defense. In that game, Ewers had his ups and downs. While he flashed his potential, he also struggled with accuracy at times, throwing a couple of interceptions that allowed Alabama to gain momentum. Despite his best efforts, the Longhorns ultimately fell to the Crimson Tide, a loss that left many questioning whether Ewers was truly ready for the spotlight.

Following the Alabama loss, the pressure on Ewers intensified. The Texas fanbase and media were quick to criticize his performance, questioning whether he was the right player to lead the team to a championship. But Ewers refused to let the negativity define him. He took the criticism in stride and worked tirelessly to improve his game. It was during this stretch that Ewers truly began to mature as a quarterback, learning how to bounce back from adversity and keep his confidence high despite the external noise.

Rising to the Challenge: Ewers’ Redemption

The turning point for Ewers came midway through the season when the Longhorns faced their archrivals, the Oklahoma Sooners, in the annual Red River Rivalry. Texas had not been able to secure a victory in this historic rivalry in several years, and a win against Oklahoma was essential for the Longhorns to stay in contention for the Big 12 Championship and the College Football Playoff.

Ewers rose to the occasion in a big way. He played one of the best games of his career, throwing for over 300 yards and three touchdowns, leading the Longhorns to a convincing victory over Oklahoma. The win was a statement not only for Ewers but for the entire Texas football program. It was a reminder of how high the ceiling was for this team and how dangerous they could be when everything clicked.

After the Oklahoma win, the confidence surrounding Ewers grew exponentially. Texas began to look like a well-oiled machine, with Ewers continuing to make strides as the season went on. He started to show the poise and composure that had been missing earlier in the season, handling the pressure of big moments with ease. The Texas offense, once considered a work in progress, began to hum under Ewers’ leadership.

The win against Oklahoma was just the beginning of a string of impressive performances. Ewers continued to put up big numbers against other tough opponents, leading Texas to key victories over teams like Kansas State and Baylor. Each week, Ewers seemed to grow more comfortable in his role as the face of the Longhorns, and his play began to reflect the talent that had made him a highly sought-after recruit in the first place.

By the time Texas entered the latter stages of the season, the Longhorns were firmly in contention for a spot in the College Football Playoff. Ewers had solidified his status as one of the top quarterbacks in the country, and Texas was looking like one of the most dangerous teams in college football. The rollercoaster ride that had started with questions about Ewers’ ability to handle the pressure had turned into a story of redemption, growth, and resilience.

The Big 12 Championship and the Road to the Playoffs

As the Big 12 Championship loomed on the horizon, Texas found itself in a familiar position: one game away from securing a spot in the College Football Playoff. Ewers’ growth throughout the season had been a major factor in getting the Longhorns to this point, and now, with the stakes higher than ever, the quarterback would need to play his best game yet.

In the Big 12 Championship game against Kansas, Ewers didn’t disappoint. He played with precision, efficiency, and a newfound sense of leadership. Texas won the game decisively, and Ewers was named the game’s MVP. The Longhorns were officially headed to the College Football Playoff, and Ewers had proven to the world—and to himself—that he was capable of leading the team to the pinnacle of college football.

Quinn Ewers: A Legacy in the Making

The story of Quinn Ewers and the 2024 Texas football season is far from over. As the Longhorns prepare for their College Football Playoff showdown, the narrative around Ewers will continue to evolve. Whether or not Texas can secure a national championship will depend on how Ewers performs in the coming games, but one thing is clear: the 2024 season has solidified his legacy as one of the most promising quarterbacks in recent Texas history.

Ewers has faced his share of challenges and criticism, but he has responded with resilience, growth, and leadership. His story is a testament to the power of perseverance in the face of adversity, and it shows that greatness is not just about talent—it’s about mental toughness, belief, and the willingness to keep fighting even when the odds are stacked against you.