Tag: Quinn Ewers

Clemson’s Cade Klubnik, Texas’ Quinn Ewers met before & it was epic … for Michael Taaffe

Saturday’s college football playoff game won’t be first time Clemson’s Cade Klubnik has faced Texas’ Quinn Ewers, just ask Michael Taaffe.

Saturday’s college football playoff matchup between the No. 5 seed Texas Longhorns and the No. 11 seed Clemson Tigers will feature a meeting between two of the best quarterbacks in college football. But, even though UT has never faced Clemson, this won’t be the first time Quinn Ewers and Cade Klubnik have met in a high-stakes clash.

Back in early 2021, Texas high school football was finishing up the Covid season a little late. The state championship games were in January instead of December. Two of the biggest powers in the state Southlake Carroll and Austin Westlake would meet in the state title game. Westlake has won four state titles and Carroll has won an astounding eight championships.

The two powerhouse programs met at AT&T Stadium, the home of the Dallas Cowboys, for an epic championship game that would be remembered primarily for its QB matchup, but also a heroic performance from a defensive standout. All three will play at DKR on Saturday.

Westlake and Southlake had one big common factor, they both had the fingerprints of former Texas QB Todd Dodge all over them. Dodge had made his name as a progressive head coach at Carroll from 2000–2006, where the the Dragons were three-peat champs in ’04, ’05 and ’06.

Dodge then took over the University of North Texas where he was much less successful. After being dismissed, Dodge went back to coaching high school and ended up at Westlake.

Who was the head coach of Carroll? Riley Dodge, Todd’s son. It was the first ever Texas state championship game where father and son head coaches squared off against each other.

Ewers was rated as the better high school prospect. An Ohio State commit at the time, the 6-foot-3, 195-pound QB topped most recruiting rankings. Klubnik was 6-2, 180-pounds and uncommitted. The No. 2 ranked QB in Texas would later end up at Clemson after some flirtations with the Longhorns.

To Longhorns fans, Ewers stats would look very familiar. He threw for 351 yards and three touchdowns on 23-of-39 passing and led Carroll to 34 points, the most Westlake had allowed in years. But he also had a fumble and two interceptions.

Klubnik was the better QB on the day, even if his stats weren’t as gaudy. Listed as a pro-style QB by recruiting services, it was Klubnik’s running ability that made the difference. On the day, he was 18 of 20 passes for 220 yards and a touchdown and had 17 carries for 97 yards, both career highs.

Southlake and Westlake went back and fourth in the first half until Klubnik threw a short TD pass to give Westlake a 28-21 lead. Hit as he threw the ball, Ewers tossed an interception on the next possession to none other than future teammate Michael Taaffe. Taaffe was committed to Rice at the time.

Westlake scored on the next possession, set up by a long Klubnik run. Down 35-21 in the third quarter, Ewers threw another interception to Taaffe, this time the future Longhorn DB made an impressive leaping one-handed catch for the pick. Taaffe would later receive a walk-on offer from Texas that he would accept instead of going to Rice.

Westlake won the game 52-34. Klubnik won the duel between the two superstar juniors and was named the game’s offensive most valuable player. “He is super dynamic with his legs,” Southlake Carroll coach Riley Dodge said. “When you have a quarterback as accurate as he is and can really run, when he’s in the open field, he may be the fastest guy on the field. That ain’t fun when the fastest guy on the field is touching the ball 100% of the time.”

The presence of No. 1 ranked prospect Ewers made no difference to Klubnik, who said, “I treated (the game) like any other game. I wasn’t paying attention to the quarterback on the other sidelines. I paid a lot of attention to their defense. It was never about me or him. It was about that defense.”

Taaffe was named defensive most valuable player for the second year in a row. The year before, Taaffe was voted the defensive MVP in Westlake’s win over Denton Guyer after an interception, a sack, two tackles and two pass breakups. Thomas Jones of the Austin American-Statesman said of the DB, “Maybe Jerry Jones should think about getting Michael Taaffe’s name in the Cowboys’ Ring of Honor, because the Westlake senior defensive back certainly enjoys playing at AT&T Stadium.”

After the game, Taaffe said, “It would be a cool story that I dreamed and prayed that this is the game I will make a great play in. But that’s not true. I try to make these plays each week. It’s about the team. I mean, without that pressure the guys up front were getting on the five-star quarterback (Ewers), we wouldn’t make those plays in the secondary.”

Vintage Michael Taaffe.

Report: Quinn Ewers plans to enter NFL Draft, Arch Manning to start in 2025

A new report says Longhorns QB Quinn Ewers plans to declare for NFL Draft after 2024 season is over, Arch Manning to start for Texas in 2025.

Over the past few weeks we’ve heard rumors about Quinn Ewers declaring for the NFL Draft. There have also been rumors that Ewers would transfer at the end of this season.

With both reports out there for a couple weeks, there seems to be confusion in Ewers camp about what to do after the season is over. The junior QB’s up and down play this season could be the major culprit.

Ewers looked outstanding through the first two and a half games of the season. Especially in the Michigan game, where he shredded the vaunted Wolverines defense in Ann Arbor.

But the Southlake product hasn’t looked the same since his oblique injury against UTSA in Week 3. Ewers was out two games and then possibly rushed back for the Oklahoma game. Quinn didn’t look great against Oklahoma, but did enough in the second half to secure the win over the hapless Sooners.

The next game against Georgia was Ewers worst game of the year. It was followed by a two interception performance against Vanderbilt that Texas barely won. Ewers started playing better, but then got a high-ankle sprain against Kentucky and has struggled at times since.

It’s all led to the uncertainty about Ewers future.

A new report from Anwar Richardson of OrangeBloods.com suggests Ewers still has plans to try for the NFL. On Twitter, Richardson says, “Sources say Quinn Ewers still plans to declare for the NFL Draft after this season, paving the way for Arch Manning to take over in 2025. Manning is locked in with Texas and coach Steve Sarkisian, with no plans to transfer. Right now, both are dialed in on Clemson.”

In fact, NFL agent Luke McMurtrey refutes the transfer rumors on Twitter calling them “Fake News.” McMurtrey is with Sportstars Inc. and part of Ewers’ team.

McMurtrey was responding to a Tweet by NFL Rookie Watch, who said in another Tweet, “Quinn Ewers reportedly ‘has a deal on the table’ from a team in the Big 10 for $4 million to transfer next season and forgo the NFL Draft. Ewers is reportedly debating on transferring and staying in college for another season or entering the draft. Several NFL scouts reportedly have Ewers ranked “outside” of their Top-4 QB’s in this year’s draft.”

If you try to boil it all down, it sounds like this is what’s actually going on. Ewers’ camp isn’t sure where he’ll be drafted. They probably have a target in mind, similar to that report about wanting to be in the top four quarterbacks in the draft.

If Ewers NFL Draft feedback isn’t what they want, they will explore transferring and make a few million of NIL money next season before trying for the NFL after 2025.

The problem with that plan is how it impacts Texas. It seems, behind the scenes, the Texas staff are going to go with Arch Manning in 2025 regardless. I’m sure Ewers knows this and probably had an indication from the staff before the year even started that they it was Ewers team in 2024 and then move on to Arch. It’s logical that promises have been made to the Manning camp, which has been a big reason Arch has not considered transferring.

So what will happen is Ewers and Texas will play out the season. If Texas makes a deep run in the college football playoffs and Quinn plays well, the NFL Draft will probably await him. If he plays poorly and Texas is bounced early against either Clemson or Arizona State, Ewers will consider transferring to play another year of college football.

Either way, it seems the Longhorns are set to name Manning the starter in 2025.

Seven Texas Longhorns land on All-SEC teams

That list includes Kelvin Banks Jr., Quinn Ewers, Jahdae Barron, Gunnar Helm, Anthony Hill Jr., Quintrevion Wisner, and Andrew Mukuba

Throughout the 2024 college football campaign, the Texas Longhorns have been one of the best teams in the SEC. During their first season in a new conference, the Longhorns did not disappoint, as seven players earned spots on All-SEC teams. That list includes Kelvin Banks Jr., Quinn Ewers, Jahdae Barron, Gunnar Helm, Anthony Hill Jr., Quintrevion Wisner, and Andrew Mukuba.

The Longhorns’ offense was well represented, with Banks earning first-team All-SEC honors. Ewers and Helm earned second-team All-SEC honors, while Wisner earned third-team All-SEC honors. With that talented group leading the way, Texas has been able to frustrate opponents on a weekly basis.

As the offense has thrived, the defense has played a critical role. That was on display Tuesday, with Barron receiving first-team All-SEC honors, Hill receiving second-team All-SEC honors, and Mukaba receiving third-team All-SEC honors.

With the Longhorns focus now shifting to the postseason, they will need their stars to continue to perform. In Ewers third year under center, he has thrown for 2,665 yards and 25 touchdowns while averaging 242.27 yards per game. His success has partly been due to Helm and Wisner, who have emerged as reliable weapons in an offense full of talent.

They will also need help from a defense that will face some of the best offenses in the country. The Longhorns are in good hands with Mukaba, who ranks fourth in tackles, and Hill, who has at least one sack in four straight games, leading the way.

Over the next few weeks, this group will be key to ending the Longhorns championship drought after proving they are among the best in the SEC at their positions.

Should Texas turn to Arch Manning in College Football Playoff to fix inept offense?

With Texas Longhorns offense looking as bad as it has all season, should Steve Sarkisian start Arch Manning over Quinn Ewers in the playoff?

There has never been a point this season when I think Texas coach Steve Sarkisian seriously thought about elevating Arch Manning into the permanent starting QB role. But is now the time?

When Quinn Ewers was injured against UTSA, Manning accounted for five touchdowns in relief. Manning threw for four TDs and had an electrifying 65-yard TD run.

Manning showed off a better arm than Ewers during his time as the starting QB and many national analysts and fans alike wondered if Sark should just make the switch. But when Ewers rushed back from injury, Sark when right back to him in the Oklahoma game.

Even when Sark went to Manning in the second quarter of the first Georgia game, I don’t believe he had any notion about making a permanent switch. But Ewers has struggled since coming back from his oblique injury. He has spurts where he looks like he did against Michigan this season and Alabama in 2023.

But this version of Ewers doesn’t look confident. Sometimes his passes look really weak, like he’s lost arm strength. Sark points to Ewers experience in tough moments and big situations. But since the Washington game in last year’s college football playoff, he’s mostly failed in those key spots.

Does Sark not trust Manning? Does he put too much faith in Ewers’ three seasons of experience? Is Ewers still the best choice for a playoff run

The answer to these questions over the next few days will surely keep Sarkisian up at night. It’s starting to look like this team might not have enough on offense to win the national championship. The offense looks as broken and is having trouble finishing off drives against decent defenses.

It seems clear 2024 is Ewers last year at Texas. There have been rumors of entering the draft or transferring to another school next season. My guess is, Ewers will enter the NFL Draft if his grade is high enough. If not, he’ll transfer and make room for Manning.

Sark has been loyal to Ewers. But it is getting harder and harder to defend Ewers as the starting QB. He doesn’t look capable of winning a close game late. If the offense is broken and Manning is the future, switching QBs might be the only way to win it all this year, instead of waiting until next year.

Even if Texas falls flat in the playoff with Manning at the helm, he’ll be more ready for the first game of 2025, which happens to be at Ohio State.

Who is Arch Manning’s dad?

Cooper Manning, the older brother of Peyton and Eli, is the father of Arch Manning, a redshirt freshman quarterback for the Texas Longhorns.

When the Texas Longhorns face the Georgia Bulldogs in the SEC Championship game today, Quinn Ewers will start the game at quarterback, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see Arch Manning rotate in.

If Manning enters the game, football fans tuning in to watch Texas for the first time this season could be drawn to ask a question that will continue to be asked countless times leading up to the 2026 NFL draft: Who is Arch Manning’s dad?

Arch, 19, is a redshirt freshman at Texas who has completed 67.8% of his passes this season for 939 yards with nine touchdowns against two interceptions. He has also rushed 20 times for 95 yards and four scores.

Who is Arch Manning’s dad?

Cooper Manning, the older brother of Peyton Manning and Eli Manning, is Arch’s father. Cooper was a star wide receiver in high school at Isidore Newman (where his brothers and son also played), but his football career was cut short by spinal stenosis before he was set to play at Ole Miss.

When is Arch Manning eligible for the NFL draft?

Arch needs to be at least three years removed from high school before being eligible for the NFL draft. So the earliest he could declare for the draft would be 2026. Arch’s uncles, Peyton and Eli, both spent four years in college. If Arch follows the same path, that would put him in the 2027 class. First things, first: Arch will look to become the full-time starter at Texas in 2025.

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Texas’ biggest impact players in the SEC championship

Texas football’s top players to watch against the Georgia Bulldogs

The Georgia Bulldogs face a rematch against the Texas Longhorns in the 2024 SEC championship game. Georgia beat Texas 30-15 in the Dawgs’ first game against Texas, which was the Longhorns only loss all season.

In the previous meeting, Texas’ defense dominated Georgia’s offense for the most part, but Georgia’s defense sacked Texas seven times and forced four Texas turnovers.

Who are Texas football’s best players?

Quarterback Quinn Ewers

Quinn Ewers is going to be the biggest x-factor in this game because of what he brings to this offense. The senior quarterback accounted for 2,307 passing yards and 24 touchdowns through the air. He knows what Georgia has and will be ready to avenge the Longhorns only loss this season.

Tight end Gunnar Helm 

Gunnar Helm was a saftey blanket for Quinn Ewers and it helped him become one of the best tight ends in the country. Helm leads the Longhorns in receptions with 48 and receiving yards with 600 yards. He also is tied for second in receiving touchdowns with five so far this season.

Safety Andrew Mukuba

 Ricardo B. Brazziell/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The transfer safety has fit right on in with the stout defense that the Longhorns possesses. Mukuba came into this secondary and become one of their leaders. He possesses great instincts and ball skills that helps out this defense. He is tied in the lead in this defense with four inceptions and one coming from Carson Beck.

Linebacker Anthony Hill Jr.

Anthony Hill Jr. is viewed as a top linebacker in the nation with his elite sideline to sideline speed and his pass-rushing abilities. He leads the Longhorns in tackles with 84 tackles and 7.5 sacks. He will be a threat to the Bulldogs offensive game plan. Hill Jr. will have to bring his best to stop this offense that averages 44.6 points in their past three games.

What official SEC Injury Report reveals about Quinn Ewers, Kelvin Banks ankle injuries

The SEC Injury Report includes one Texas Longhorns starter ahead of the SEC Championship Game. Is it Quinn Ewers or Kelvin Banks?

As the Longhorns make final preparations for the SEC Championship Game against the Georgia Bulldogs, Texas is relatively injury free. Only one current UT starter made the official SEC Injury Report, but it’s not Texas QB Quinn Ewers.

Ewers injured his ankle two weeks ago in a 31-14 win over Kentucky. The junior was listed as “probable” on last week’s SEC Injury Report until 90 minutes before kickoff when he was taken off the list.

The Southlake product played through the high ankle sprain against Texas A&M, leading the Horns to a 17-10 win despite some nervous moments. Ewers was 17 of 28 for 218 yards, with one touchdown and one interception.

Ewers is not on this week’s injury list. Does that mean his high ankle sprain has improved? Not necessarily. It just means Texas’ starting QB will for sure play. When asked about Ewer’s ankle this week, Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said, “He practiced today, and it will be very similar to last week.”

Kelvin Banks, Jr. does land on the injury list. The star offensive tackle was injured against Texas A&M. Like Ewers, Banks suffered and ankle injury. Backup offensive tackle Trevor Goosby filled in admirably for the rest of the game.

“It is going to be a similar process to Quinn (Ewers) to see if he will be good to go for Saturday,” Sarkisian said. Banks has been practicing this week.

Texas injury updates:

  • Derek Williams Jr. – DB (Out)
  • CJ Baxter – RB (Out)
  • Christian Clark – RB (Out)
  • Velton Gardner – RB (Out)
  • Kelvin Banks Jr. – OT (Questionable)

Georgia injury updates:

  • Joseph Jonah-Ajonye – DL (Out)
  • Trevor Etienne – RB (Questionable)
  • Branson Robinson – RB (Questionable)
  • Chauncey Bowens – RB (Questionable)
  • Christen Miller – DL (Questionable)

Texas QB Quinn Ewers only member of vaunted 2021 Ohio State recruiting class to beat Michigan

2021 was one of the best recruiting classes in Ohio State history, but only the member of that class to beat Michigan is Texas QB Quinn Ewers.

Back in 2021, Ohio State had a historic recruiting class. The Buckeyes signed four of the Top 10 prospects in the nation and seven 5-stars, the most in program history. Ohio State snagged three of their five highest ranked recruits ever, including the No. 1 player in the class, Quinn Ewers. Ewers had a perfect ‘100’ rating.

The signing of Ewers upset then starting QB C.J. Stroud. But Stroud hung onto his job and had a great season, coming close to winning both the Heisman and national title. Ewers would leave Ohio State after his first season and head to Texas.

That Ohio State class included another ‘100’ rating in J.T. Tuimoloau, plus the likes of Marvin Harrison Jr., Jack Sawyer, TreVeyon Henderson and so on. But as good as the talent was, the Buckeyes class was No. 2 on national signing day to No. 1 Alabama. The Bama class also had seven 5-stars.

The class was supposed to ward off rival Michigan. For years under Jim Tressel and Urban Meyer, Ohio State had dominated rival Michigan winning 17 of 19 from 2001 to 2019. But the Wolverines brought in former Wolverines QB Jim Harbaugh to take over the program and the gap started closing.

Ryan Day took over the Buckeyes in 2019 and beat Michigan that year 56-27, the only time Day has won a Michigan game. Ohio State was the No. 1 team in the nation at the time. OSU entered the four-team college football playoff as the No. 2 seed and lost the semifinal to 3rd seeded Clemson.

The next three seasons, both the Buckeyes and Wolverines were ranked in the Top 5 when they met, with Ohio State the higher ranked team each time. Michigan won all three matchups and last year went onto become national champions.

This year, No. 2 Ohio State were heavy favorites to beat Michigan, only to lose 13-10 at home to a mediocre 6-5 Wolverines team.

Ewers wasn’t the only one to leave Ohio State via transfer portal. 4-stars JK Johnson, offensive lineman Ben Christman and safeties Andre Turrentine and Jantzen Dunn, three-star Jaylen Johnson and unranked long snapper Mason Arnold all transferred out of the program. Current Arizona Cardinal Harrison left early for the NFL Draft.

Of all the talent in that recruiting class, only Ewers has beaten the “team up north.” The Southlake product had one of the best games of his career at the Big House in Week 2 of this season, going 24 of 36 for 246 yards and three touchdowns.

It seems Ewers made the right choice to transfer to Texas.

ESPN CFB insider Pete Thamel confirms Texas QB Quinn Ewers’ injury issues

Texas QB Quinn Ewers isn’t 100%

No. 20 Texas A&M (8-3, 5-2 SEC) hosts No. 3 Texas (10-1, 6-1 SEC) on Saturday night, ESPN CFB insider Pete Thamel confirmed on College GameDay that Longhorns starting quarterback Quinn Ewers is still dealing with a high ankle sprain, but will start on Saturday night.

However, backup quarterback Arch Manning could see the field if Ewers struggles, especially if the Longhorns struggle to move the ball with the junior under center. Texas A&M’s deep defensive line needs to make an impact regardless of the quarterback they’re facing.

While the final injury report will show Quinn Ewers as the starter, Manning’s dual-threat ability could hurt the Aggies. The Aggies have struggled against running quarterbacks this season, including the last two SEC losses against South Carolina and Auburn.

In six games this season, Manning has thrown for 939 yards, nine touchdowns, and two interceptions, including two starts against ULM and Mississippi State.

No. 19 Texas A&M will host No. 3 Texas on Saturday, Nov. 30 at 6:30 pm. CT. The game will air on ABC.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.

3 Keys to victory for No. 20 Texas A&M vs. No. 3 Texas on Saturday night

Saturday night could go either way, but the Aggies need to play smart football

It all comes down to Saturday night, as No. 20 Texas A&M (8-3, 5-2 SEC) will host the No. 3 Texas Longhorns for a spot in the SEC Championship game against Georgia on Dec. 7. The Aggies and Longhorns will meet on the field for the first time in 13 seasons.

It’s been quite the season for first-year head coach Mike Elko, who would exceed expectations with a win over the Longhorns but has dealt with plenty of adversity ranging from roster health to penalty issues.

At the same time, Texas has cruised through its first SEC schedule outside of the October home loss to Georgia. However, with everything on the line, the Aggies are playing for everything, while the Longhorns currently have a 97% chance to make the College Football Playoff and will likely be in regardless of the loss.

Playing inside a packed and very loud Kyle Field, here are the three keys to victory for Texas A&M before both teams take the field on Saturday night:

Keep Quinn Ewers/Arch Manning in the pocket:

Yes, Texas quarterback Arch Manning is now in the conversation amid Quinn Ewers’ ankle issues, but it’s expected that Ewers will start. Throughout the season, Ewers has relied on his check-down option while avoiding vertical shots due to pressure in his face, meaning Texas A&M’s defensive line needs to show up on Saturday night.

Defensive ends Nic Scourton and Shemar Stewart are likely off to the NFL next season, but in the overtime loss to Auburn, both players were basically invisible. If the Aggies have any chance at winning, both players, combined with Cashius Howell, Shemar Turner, and Rylan Kennedy, need to wreak havoc in the backfield.

Keep Texas’s passing attack in the middle of the field:

Cover 2 is a popular coverage scheme that has kept explosive offenses from taking the top off the defense. It forces the quarterback to “dink and dunk” down the field and allows defenses to blitz more often. Interestingly enough, Longhorns’ tight end Gunnar Helm leads the team in receptions and receiving yards and has been the most consistent receiver on the roster.

Texas A&M’s secondary has been average to above average for most of the season, mainly due to the lack of continuity and the loss of senior cornerback Tyreek Chappell. However, this is the final game of the regular season, and playing disciplined football while not allowing receivers to leak out for big gains is the key to keeping the Longhorns from blowing the game wide open.

QB Marcel Reed needs to make plays for four straight quarters:

Texas A&M’s defense needs to step up, but if this is going to be a back-and-forth scoring fest, which is possible, Texas A&M’s dual-threat signal caller will need to be the playmaker we saw during the second-half comeback against LSU.

OC Collin Klein’s job is simple: run the ball and set up play-action passes while sprinkling so QB runs when warranted. After calling a relatively poor game in the loss to Auburn, Klein has a lot to prove, so utilizing Reed’s skillset, trusting his arm, and providing easy passing outlets will only elongate the Aggies’ offensive possessions to drive the field.

No. 19 Texas A&M will host No. 3 Texas on Saturday, Nov. 30 at 6:30 pm. CT. The game will air on ABC.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.