Quinn Ewers Faces Former Team in College Football Playoff Semifinals
As the Texas Longhorns prepare to face the Ohio State Buckeyes in the College Football Playoff (CFP) Semifinals on Friday, the spotlight will shine brightly on Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers. The game holds significant personal meaning for Ewers, as he’ll be squaring off against the team he briefly called home.
Quinn Ewers, once a highly touted recruit from Southlake, Texas, made headlines in 2021 when he initially committed to play for Texas. However, in a surprising twist, he flipped his commitment to Ohio State, joining the Buckeyes for fall camp that same year. Despite the excitement surrounding his decision to join one of the nation’s premier programs, Ewers’ time in Columbus was short-lived. After just one semester and minimal playing time, he transferred back to his home state, joining the Texas Longhorns in 2022. Now, in a thrilling turn of events, Ewers will face Ohio State in the biggest game of his career thus far.
Ewers’ journey to the College Football Playoff has been full of twists and turns, and his upcoming matchup with Ohio State offers a chance for reflection on the path he’s taken. In this article, we’ll explore Ewers’ relationship with both teams, how he has evolved since transferring back to Texas, and how he’s preparing to face his former team on the biggest stage of his young career.
Ewers’ Brief Stint at Ohio State
Ewers’ time at Ohio State was brief but impactful. After initially committing to Texas, Ewers made the surprising decision to flip and join the Buckeyes, where he hoped to follow in the footsteps of previous quarterbacks like Dwayne Haskins and Justin Fields. The move seemed to make sense, considering Ohio State’s national prominence and the chance to develop under then-head coach Ryan Day, who had proven his ability to cultivate top-tier quarterbacks.
However, Ewers’ dream of playing for Ohio State quickly became a reality check. Despite being highly regarded as the No. 1 quarterback recruit in the 2021 class, Ewers faced an immediate challenge when C.J. Stroud emerged as the Buckeyes’ starting quarterback. Stroud, who would go on to become a Heisman finalist and a first-round pick in the NFL Draft, was firmly entrenched as Ohio State’s leader under center. This meant that Ewers would have little opportunity to see the field in the upcoming season.
With his playing time limited to just two snaps in a blowout win, Ewers realized that his best chance for success would be to transfer to a program where he could have a more significant role. Thus, after just one semester at Ohio State, Ewers made the decision to return home to Texas, where he believed he could have the opportunity to develop further and ultimately become the team’s starting quarterback.
Quinn Ewers Returns Home to Texas
Ewers’ decision to transfer back to Texas was one that resonated deeply with the Longhorns’ program. The Texas coaching staff, led by Steve Sarkisian, had long been excited about Ewers’ potential, and the return of the talented quarterback provided a much-needed boost for a Texas program that had struggled to find consistency at the quarterback position in recent years.
In his first year back with Texas in 2022, Ewers wasted no time proving that he had made the right decision. As the Longhorns’ starting quarterback, Ewers showcased his arm strength, mobility, and ability to make big-time throws. He helped lead the Longhorns to a successful season and was a key player in Texas’ success. His chemistry with wide receiver Xavier Worthy and running back Bijan Robinson became one of the most exciting storylines for the team, and he was viewed as the future of Texas football.
Ewers’ season culminated in an outstanding performance against Arizona State, where he threw the game-winning touchdown pass to propel the Longhorns into the College Football Playoff. The moment was a defining one for Ewers, as he showed not only his talent but also his ability to perform under pressure on the national stage. It was a full-circle moment for Ewers, who had originally left Ohio State in search of more playing time, only to return home and lead Texas to the pinnacle of college football.
The Respect Between Ewers and Ohio State’s Ryan Day
Despite his brief and often frustrating stint at Ohio State, Ewers has always spoken with respect and admiration for the program, and in particular, for head coach Ryan Day. Ewers credits Day with helping him develop during his short time with the Buckeyes, noting how much he learned under the tutelage of the Ohio State coaching staff.
“I learned a lot when I was there under Coach Day and C.J. Stroud,” Ewers said in an interview ahead of Friday’s game. “Super thankful for that time that I got to spend there. Like I said, I learned a whole lot. So I don’t regret any decision I’ve made on going or anything like that, but the main reason I went was I felt like I had a great relationship with the coaching staff, and they were winning a lot of games I wanted to go be part of something like that.”
Day, for his part, has also expressed his admiration for Ewers and his development since leaving Ohio State. Day has been supportive of Ewers’ journey, acknowledging the talent and potential that the quarterback has displayed during his time at Texas.
“It was disappointing for us, but we certainly understood,” Day said recently. “And from afar, I’ve watched him, and he’s got a lot of talent. He’s a really good player. He comes from a great family. And he’s had a great career at Texas. And a lot of people here still have good relationships with him and think the world of him.”
Despite the nature of Ewers’ departure, both Ewers and Day have maintained a positive relationship, underscoring the professionalism of both parties. Ewers has made it clear that he holds no ill will toward Ohio State or Day, and Day, likewise, respects Ewers’ decision to pursue his career at Texas.
Preparing for a Showdown in the CFP Semifinals
As the Longhorns prepare for their semifinal showdown with Ohio State, all eyes will be on Ewers. For him, this game is more than just an opportunity to showcase his skills—it’s a chance to prove that he made the right decision by leaving Ohio State. Ewers’ performance on Friday could cement his legacy as one of the top quarterbacks in the nation and further validate the choice he made to return to Texas.
Ewers understands the magnitude of the game and has acknowledged the challenge of facing his former team. However, he has maintained a laser focus on the task at hand: helping his team win. As much as this game is about personal redemption, Ewers is also fully aware of the bigger picture—Texas has a chance to advance to the national championship game, and that’s where his primary focus lies.
“It’s a huge game for all of us,” Ewers said. “But for me, it’s about going out and helping the team get the win. It’s not about any individual matchup. It’s about Texas, and I want to do everything I can to help us win this game and keep our season going.”
Conclusion
Quinn Ewers’ journey has been filled with twists and turns, but as he heads into the CFP Semifinals against Ohio State, it’s clear that he has come full circle. His decision to transfer back to Texas has proven to be the right one, as he has developed into one of the top quarterbacks in college football. As he faces his former team, Ewers will look to prove that his time at Texas has been more than worth it and show Ohio State why he’s one of the most talented quarterbacks in the country. The stage is set for a thrilling showdown, and Ewers is ready to take on the challenge.
