Arch Manning beaten out for Texas Longhorns' spring QB competition

Arch Manning is obviously a big name, but Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian feels good about what sophomore Quinn Ewers brings to the table in his second year as starting quarterback for the Longhorns.

So good, in fact, that Sarkisian made it clear after Texas' spring game that Ewers will get the chance to play his first full season for the Longhorns as starting quarterback in 2023. He played and started only 10 games last season due to injury, but he was impressive—completing 58.1% of his passes for 2,177 yards, and 15 touchdowns (six interceptions).

Ewers completed 16-of-23 passes for 195 yards and a touchdown in the spring game, a performance that Sarkisian all but gushed over.

"I thought Quinn was really efficient today. I think it's pretty clear to say that Quinn's our starting quarterback and we feel very good about that," he said, per ESPN.

Ewers was fighting off Manning—the former No. 1 overall recruit and nephew of Peyton and Eli Manning, heading into spring ball—but it appears that Ewers' experience as well as his new-found maturity and leadership have made him the clear-cut starter heading into this season.

Notably, Ewers chopped off his mullet and shaved his beard, which Sarkisian felt created a stronger presence for the quarterback leadership-wise.

"Obviously, something had to change if I wanted to end up where I want to be in the future," Ewers said. "I'm starting right here. I'm eating a lot better. I'm doing all the small things a lot harder, and I'm excited."

This is not to say that Manning won't eventually be a star for Texas, because the expectations are high. The announcement from Sarkisian is just a reminder that nobody is a shoo-in in the game of football, and also a reminder that Ewers himself was once a superstar recruit ranked one of one.