If Quinn Ewers doesn’t play well this season under the scrutiny of national championship expectations, it’s very possible Arch Manning could supplant him as the starter. Every single snap Ewers takes will be scrutinized.
That makes it all the more impressive that Ewers shook off an interception on his second series to play a damn near flawless season opener from there on out against Colorado State. Not that the Longhorns were in legitimate danger of losing, but again, everyone will be clamoring for Arch if Ewers struggles against a high-caliber opponent. Had he not rallied in this matchup, that noise would’ve only gotten louder. It was already starting in some corners of Overreaction X/Twitter.
Arch Manning watching Quinn Ewers pic.twitter.com/LaEbFkywhz
— iregretlikingsports (@Jimmy2424555) August 31, 2024
But Ewers looks comfortable in his status as QB1, and is playing so loose and free that he joined the exclusive company of Patrick Mahomes and Matthew Stafford by pulling off a no-look pass in a huge moment during a game situation. It’s a thing of beauty. Pure artistry.
Quinn Ewers just hit Colorado State with a no-look pass for a touchdown. 👀 pic.twitter.com/joJWnv1oVS
— CJ Vogel (@CJVogel_OTF) August 31, 2024
WOW! Checkout this no look pass by Texas Quarterback, Quinn Ewers 🔥🔥
1st round pick stuff right here, shades of Matthew Stafford in the Super Bowl vs the Bengals. pic.twitter.com/O3RqA3tDfm
— Emmanuel Acho (@EmmanuelAcho) August 31, 2024
My beloved Bengals fell victim to Stafford’s most famous no-look laser, which happened to occur in the Super Bowl. Mahomes sent everyone into a frenzy when he executed the trick shot during his first season as a starter en route to an MVP
Random thought: Pretty sure if Patrick Mahomes made this throw, it'd be considered the greatest throw in NFL history. Matthew Stafford doesn't get enough love, for this play or for just how good he is. The audacity to do this in the Super Bowl 😂😭 pic.twitter.com/QKCGaEd6Au
— Matt Fitzgerald (@MattFitz_gerald) April 29, 2024
Patrick Mahomes' no-look pass. He's just different pic.twitter.com/oZxehCHXbg
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) December 9, 2018
If Ewers does it again in the annual Red River Rivalry tilt with Oklahoma, he might break the Internet. Or at least college football Reddit or something. He completed 20 of 27 passes for 260 yards and three scores on Saturday to kick off his 2024 campaign on a strong note. Manning relieved him eventually when the rout was on, completing a couple passes for 45 yards and a TD.
Unless he has a disastrous outing against Michigan next week — I don’t anticipate that happening, by the way — I don’t think Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian will have too short a leash on Ewers as far as yanking him for Arch. It’s just kind of uncanny how this reminds me of Spencer Rattler’s time at Oklahoma, when he played reasonably well but not spectacularly, which led to Caleb Williams taking the reins and never looking back.
As far as pure arm talent, I don’t know that there’s a more gifted passer in the country than Ewers. His three-quarter, lightning-quick release and effortless power are quiet something to behold, especially since he’s not some 6-5, 240-pound specimen. Not sure he’ll unseat Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders or other top QB prospects in the running to be the first pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. That said, don’t be shocked if Ewers pushes his stock into the first round with ease by the end of the year. No-look passes are a great way to flash on the radar of NFL personnel folks.
