In a shocking twist that sent ripples through the college football world, Quinn Ewers, the highly touted quarterback prospect and former Texas Longhorns commit, has officially decommitted from the University of Texas and announced that he will now be fully committed to their bitter rivals—**the Oklahoma Sooners**.
The news comes as a major surprise to Longhorns fans, especially after months of anticipation surrounding Ewers’ commitment to Texas. As one of the most coveted quarterbacks in the country and a player expected to be the centerpiece of Texas’ future, this decision will likely have significant ramifications both for the Longhorns’ recruiting efforts and for the future of college football’s most storied rivalry.
The Flip Heard Around the Big 12
Ewers, a 5-star recruit out of Southlake Carroll High School in Texas, has been one of the most closely followed quarterbacks in the nation for the past few years. His combination of size (6’3”, 210 lbs), arm strength, and athleticism made him the consensus No. 1 quarterback in the 2022 recruiting class. Ewers initially committed to Texas in 2020, citing the Longhorns’ tradition, coaching staff, and proximity to home as key factors in his decision. Texas was poised to build its offense around him for years to come.
However, the landscape of college football recruiting is constantly shifting, and Ewers’ flip to Oklahoma has been in the works for several months. Rumors began circulating after Texas’ loss to Oklahoma in the 2021 Red River Rivalry, when Ewers attended the game as a visitor and reportedly had extended conversations with members of the Sooners’ coaching staff. While he continued to publicly affirm his commitment to Texas, whispers about his potential flip grew louder.
The announcement was made via social media, where Ewers posted a message that read: “After much thought and reflection, I have decided to officially decommit from the University of Texas and commit to the University of Oklahoma. This decision wasn’t easy, but it’s the best choice for me and my future. I am ready to help build something special at Oklahoma.”
For Longhorns fans, the news is a bitter pill to swallow. Not only did they lose a blue-chip quarterback to their biggest rival, but they now face the challenge of trying to recruit another elite quarterback to take Ewers’ place. Texas’ head coach Steve Sarkisian has worked hard to build a high-powered offense, and losing a player of Ewers’ caliber is a serious blow to the Longhorns’ immediate plans.
What Led to the Flip?
So, why did Quinn Ewers, a Texas native and former Longhorns commit, decide to flip to Oklahoma? There are a few key factors that likely played into this dramatic change of heart.
1. The Coaching Change at Oklahoma**: One of the most significant factors in Ewers’ decision to flip was the recent change in leadership at Oklahoma. Following Lincoln Riley’s departure for USC, the Sooners hired Brent Venables, a defensive-minded coach known for his success as a defensive coordinator at Clemson. Venables has brought a new energy and focus to the program, and Ewers may have been drawn to the opportunity to help build something from the ground up with a new head coach who was eager to return Oklahoma to national prominence.
2. Oklahoma’s Quarterback Legacy**: Oklahoma has a storied tradition of developing elite quarterbacks, with recent standouts including Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray, and Jalen Hurts—all of whom became Heisman Trophy finalists and NFL Draft picks. With the Sooners’ offensive pedigree, Ewers may have been enticed by the chance to follow in their footsteps and take over an offense that has produced some of college football’s most dynamic quarterbacks of the past decade.
3. Recruiting Pressure and Relationship Building**: The Sooners have long been a force in Texas recruiting, and their ability to build relationships with top Texas high school recruits has been a cornerstone of their success. Ewers’ flip could be partly attributed to the close relationships he formed with the Oklahoma coaching staff, including offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby, who has a history of developing elite quarterbacks at multiple stops (most recently at Ole Miss).
4. Texas’ Recent Struggles**: Texas has faced its share of struggles in recent years. While the program is on the rise under Steve Sarkisian, the Longhorns have yet to establish themselves as a perennial College Football Playoff contender. Sarkisian’s offense has been inconsistent, and Texas has been caught in a transition phase since joining the Big 12. The uncertainty surrounding the program’s direction, coupled with the pressure to perform in a highly competitive environment, may have pushed Ewers to reconsider his commitment.
The Fallout for Texas
Quinn Ewers’ flip to Oklahoma represents a huge blow to the Longhorns’ recruiting efforts and could have a lasting impact on their future plans. As the most high-profile recruit in Texas’ 2022 class, Ewers was expected to be the player who would help bring the Longhorns back to national relevance after years of mediocrity. Losing him to Oklahoma now forces Sarkisian to adjust his strategy.
1. Quarterback Quandary**: Texas now finds itself without its long-term answer at quarterback. With Ewers off the table, the Longhorns will have to shift their focus to other quarterbacks in the 2022 and 2023 classes. They still have talented quarterbacks in the fold, such as Hudson Card, but they’ll need a top-tier recruit to take the reins in the coming years. Texas has already been in hot pursuit of several high-profile quarterback prospects, and this decommitment could either hurt or help their chances, depending on how the coaching staff moves forward.
2. Recruiting Fallout**: While Texas remains one of the top football programs in the country, losing a recruit of Ewers’ caliber to Oklahoma will undoubtedly have an impact on recruiting. Rival programs are quick to point out when top players decommit or flip, and Oklahoma, in particular, will capitalize on this opportunity to recruit other top Texas talent. The Longhorns will need to focus on maintaining strong relationships with other recruits and ensuring that this setback doesn’t have a snowball effect.
3. **The Red River Rivalry Gets Even Bigger**: The Ewers flip adds even more fuel to an already heated Red River Rivalry. Texas and Oklahoma have always been fierce competitors, and now that the future of Texas’ offense has committed to the Sooners, the rivalry has taken on a new layer of intensity. For Texas fans, losing a homegrown talent like Ewers to the rival Sooners will only make every Red River game even more personal.
What’s Next for Ewers and Oklahoma?
For Quinn Ewers, this commitment represents a fresh start with a program that has a chance to compete for national titles year in and year out. Under Venables, Oklahoma will continue to focus on offensive innovation, and Ewers’ skill set fits perfectly into that mold. With time to develop under an experienced coaching staff, Ewers could be poised to follow in the footsteps of the quarterbacks who have made Oklahoma a juggernaut in recent years.
For Oklahoma, landing Ewers is a major coup. The Sooners now have a quarterback with elite potential to lead them into a new era under Venables. With Ewers leading the charge, Oklahoma could very well be positioned to return to dominance in both the Big 12 and the national landscape.
Conclusion
Quinn Ewers’ decommitment and flip to Oklahoma marks a seismic shift in the college football recruiting world, one that could reshape the future of the Red River Rivalry and have lasting implications for both the Texas Longhorns and the Oklahoma Sooners. As Texas reacts to this sudden loss, all eyes will be on Ewers and his future at Oklahoma, where he will now take center stage as the face of the Sooners’ next great offense. The stage is set for a new chapter in one of college football’s most heated rivalries.