2021
Casey Thompson
Thompson is the favorite to land the starting job in 2021 due to experience alone. He will be a redshirt junior when he begins to compete for a starting role alongside Hudson Card and Ja’Quinden Jackson. However, many believe the primary battle in 2021 will be focused on Card and Thompson. This particular offseason will be the most important stepping stone of Thompson’s collegiate career and his only realistic chance to take over. It’s his for the taking.
Hudson Card
Although young, Card has a realistic shot to take over signal caller duties once Ehlinger departs to the NFL. He was an early enrollee on campus in 2020 and will have a full year to groom behind Ehlinger in Mike Yurcich’s system. He was the No. 2 dual-threat quarterback in the nation and has already begun to turn heads throughout fall camp. Similar to Thompson, the 2021 position battle will be extremely important for Card and will likely lay the landscape of his collegiate career.
Ja’Quinden Jackson
If any of these talented quarterbacks were to have the physical stature and athleticism to switch positions in order to receive more playing time, it’d be Jackson. There seem to be three different options for Jackson in 2021, especially with five-star quarterback Quinn Ewers joining the fold in 2022. He can either put all of his eggs in one basket to compete alongside Card and Thompson, transfer, or switch positions.
Jalen Milroe
Due to the swarm of talent continuing to come to Texas, Milroe is the most likely player to choose a different direction. Following the Ewers commitment, Milroe’s future in Austin suddenly became bleak. He was heavily recruited by well respected programs, so he should have no problem finding a potential suitor.
2022
Casey Thompson
Thompson will be a redshirt senior in 2022, but this year heavily depends on how the 2021 campaign plays out. If he wins the starting job in 2021, does he produce and solidify himself as the starter for one more season? Does he struggle and therefore force Card onto the field? Does Card beat him outright for the starting role? Either way, Ewers now joins the fold which makes the decision much more difficult.
Hudson Card
I can’t stress this enough, the 2021 position battle between Card and Thompson will heavily influence how soon Texas will use five-star quarterback Quinn Ewers. Regardless of who wins the starting role in 2021, it’s likely short lived unless they surprisingly blow the doors off of their expectations.
Ja’Quinden Jackson
Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Jackson has likely either switched positions and/or transferred by 2022.
Jalen Milroe
As mentioned previously, Milroe is the most likely candidate to back out of his commitment to Texas and find a starting role elsewhere.
Quinn Ewers
One of the top prospects in the country. It’s seems like a nobrainer to play Ewers immediately, but it will be a tough decision to make if one of either Card or Thompson impresses throughout 2021. In turn, this could give Ewers a redshirt season under his belt to groom. However, I just don’t see how you can keep a player of this caliber off of the field for very long.
According to 247Sports Composite, he is the only quarterback with a perfect 1.0000 rating in history, tied with former Texas legend Vince Young. He’s obviously highly sough-after and has the talent to come in and produce immediately.