Texas has an early quarter. This is the former No. 1 overall recruit for a long time.
Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian named Quinn Evers the team’s starting quarterback Saturday after he led his team to a 21-10 victory in the Orange-White Spring Game. Evers finished the game 16-for-23 for 195 yards and a touchdown.
That touchdown was the highlight of his game:
“I thought Quinn was very efficient today,” Sarkisian said After the game. “I think it’s pretty clear that Quinn is our starting quarterback, and we feel pretty good about that, but I don’t want to take the stinger out of these guys that they’re not competing for anything.”
Arch Manning, arguably the busiest quarterback on the Texas roster, went 5-for-13 for 30 yards.
The Texas QB battle featured Quin Evers and Arch Manning
Texas entered this spring with two clear candidates for the starting quarterback in Evers and incoming freshman Arch Manning, who was widely hailed as a generational quarterback recruit. Evers and Manning are both the No. 1 overall prospects in their classes according to Rivals. Also in the mix was 2022 four-star recruit Malik Murphy.
A player in Ewers’ position is usually guaranteed a high position, but intrigue surrounded Manning and Ewers’ freshman and junior seasons last year. Evers, who transferred last season from Ohio State, threw for 2,177 yards, 15 touchdowns and six interceptions in 2022 while completing 58.1% of his attempts. Texas finished the season 8-5.
“Obviously, I don’t like where I was last year and something needs to change if I want to end up where I want to be in the future,” Evers said. said. “I’m starting right here. I’m eating really well. I’m doing all the little things really hard. I’m excited.”
Manning drew a lot of attention Saturday, giving Longhorns fans their first chance to see him in a Texas uniform. He played snaps behind Murphy for the Orange, while Evers started for the White.
Manning lost his offense, but left plenty of reason for hope:
As a redshirt sophomore, Evers is eligible for the 2024 NFL Draft and will finish with a strong season in 2023. That would clear the way for Manning to get the job in 2024, though Evers could take it sooner if he struggles.
