Texas quarterback battle: Can Hudson Card rise to No. 2?

As the season approaches, we are getting a better understanding of the Texas Longhorns depth chart. Can Hudson Card rise to No. 2 behind Sam

When it comes to the quarterback position for the Texas Longhorns it isn’t even a question. Sam Ehlinger is going to be the starter when the team takes the field against the UTEP Miners on Sept. 12. Ehlinger is poised to take the team to new heights and by all accounts he has developed a good relationship with new offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich.

The quarterbacks behind Ehlinger is where it really gets interesting. Here is a quick look at the quarterback depth chart as it sits right now.

QB1 Sam Ehlinger Senior
QB2 Casey Thompson RS Sophomore
QB3 Hudson Card Freshman
QB4 Ja’Quinden Jackson Freshman

The only quarterback that has any gametime experience is backup Casey Thompson, it just only happens to be in mop up duty. Thompson is the next in line to become the starting quarterback following the season. Despite the fact that college eligibility has been frozen, many believe that Sam will take the jump to the next level.

Related: Four Longhorns selected in latest mock draft

It isn’t a foregone conclusion that Thompson will be the guy as he will have plenty of competition. Both of the incoming freshman in Hudson Card and Ja’Quinden Jackson will have plenty to say about who will walk away with the starting role in 2021. The conversation will start all over in 2022 as well when the top ranked quarterback Quinn Ewers gets to campus.

Image courtesy of Texas Sports

As it sits as of right now, Thompson is in the second spot on the quarterback depth chart. However, freshman quarterback Hudson Card is making a strong push according to 247Sports.

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The real drama has been in the battle to back up Ehlinger, where Thompson is trying to hold off freshman Hudson Card, who is getting comparisons to Shane Buechele for his preparedness and knowledge of the offense as a first-year player.

So far, Thompson has held off Card by making more off-schedule plays with his feet in fall camp against a pass rush from the Texas defense that also has coaches excited.

This is likely going to be an ongoing battle between the two all season and one of the more intriguing battles to watch. Don’t forget about Jackson either. He is coming off the partially torn ACL but when he gets to full speed, he can make things happen.