Texas QB Quinn Ewers Avoids Engaging ASU’s Sam Leavitt Challenge as Arch Manning’s Presence Looms
The world of college football is always full of intrigue and drama, but perhaps no storyline in recent memory has captured as much attention as the quarterback battle at the University of Texas. With the Longhorns set for a pivotal season, all eyes have been on the team’s starting quarterback, Quinn Ewers, and the looming presence of Arch Manning, the nation’s most high-profile recruit. However, an unexpected development has emerged from Arizona State, where freshman Sam Leavitt has thrown his own name into the mix, offering an intriguing challenge to Ewers. Yet, in what could be seen as a pivotal moment in his career, Ewers has shown an admirable ability to avoid engaging in this challenge, while also maintaining his focus on leading Texas to success.
The Longhorns’ Quarterback Conundrum
Quinn Ewers arrived in Austin in 2021 with a cloud of expectation hanging over him. After a highly-touted high school career at Southlake Carroll in Texas, Ewers reclassified to enroll early at Ohio State before transferring to Texas. His arm strength, mobility, and potential had earned him comparisons to some of the game’s best quarterbacks, and Longhorns fans were excited to see if he could deliver on that promise.
Last season, Ewers showed flashes of brilliance but was inconsistent at times. Despite leading the Longhorns to a 8-5 record, Ewers’ performance left much to be desired. However, he showed significant promise and potential, especially in some of Texas’ more high-profile matchups, including the Red River Rivalry game against Oklahoma, where he put on a dazzling display before injuries sidelined him.
Yet even with this promise, there was a cloud hanging over Ewers’ position: the arrival of Arch Manning, the consensus No. 1 recruit in the country. Manning, the grandson of NFL legend Archie Manning and the nephew of Peyton and Eli Manning, committed to Texas in 2023, instantly making him one of the most talked-about recruits in college football history. The arrival of Manning has been seen by many as a potential changing of the guard at quarterback for Texas, with the talented freshman likely to be the future of the program.
This has led to a highly publicized battle for the starting quarterback role in the 2024 season. Ewers, now entering his third year at Texas, has the experience but is also feeling the pressure of having one of the most hyped-up quarterbacks in the country breathing down his neck. Manning’s presence is certainly a looming specter, and the question of how Ewers will handle the challenge has been a topic of much discussion.
Enter Sam Leavitt: The Quiet Challenger from Arizona State
While Manning’s presence is enough to make any quarterback pause and reflect, another intriguing challenge to Ewers has emerged from a rather unexpected place: Arizona State University. Sam Leavitt, a talented freshman quarterback, has made waves during his first season with the Sun Devils. Leavitt, who originally committed to Michigan State, eventually chose to transfer to ASU, where he has shown remarkable potential in limited action.
Leavitt’s rise has been relatively quiet compared to the media circus that surrounds Manning, but his performance at Arizona State has caught the attention of college football analysts. With a strong arm, impressive mobility, and a knack for making big plays, Leavitt’s presence has sparked debates on the broader landscape of the quarterback position, particularly among those who may be looking for fresh blood in their respective quarterback rooms.
For Ewers, though, Leavitt’s challenge presents a curious situation. Although both quarterbacks are not in direct competition on the same team, the fact that both are young players with high potential inevitably invites comparison. Leavitt’s ascent at ASU has, in some ways, put added pressure on Ewers to prove he is still the future for Texas, particularly as Manning’s eventual arrival continues to loom large.
Ewers’ Strategic Avoidance of the Challenge
Interestingly, despite the attention that Leavitt’s rise has garnered, Quinn Ewers has remained largely unfazed. Rather than responding directly to comparisons or making statements about his competition with Leavitt or Manning, Ewers has strategically avoided engaging in any public challenges. This decision to sidestep any direct confrontation or acknowledgment of the threat posed by Leavitt and Manning has allowed Ewers to keep his focus squarely on what matters most: leading Texas to victories on the football field.
It is clear that Ewers is not ignoring the competition altogether. He is well aware of Manning’s impending arrival, and the pressure to perform is undoubtedly weighing on him. But rather than letting that external noise affect him, Ewers seems to be embracing a mindset that allows him to focus on his own development. It’s a wise move, one that prevents him from getting distracted by the hype surrounding Manning or by the rise of Leavitt, who is making waves in a different program altogether.
Ewers’ ability to avoid the distractions of external competition speaks volumes about his mental toughness and maturity as a player. While many young quarterbacks might be tempted to engage in public spats or feel threatened by a rising star in the same position, Ewers has taken the high road. He recognizes that his best chance for success is to focus on his own performance, improving his game, and helping Texas return to prominence.
The Bigger Picture: A New Era for Texas Football
The quarterback situation at Texas has undoubtedly been a story for the ages. The program has not had a consistent, star quarterback since the days of Vince Young, and Ewers was seen as the player who could return Texas to its former glory. But with the arrival of Manning, the stakes have been raised to a new level, and Ewers finds himself in a delicate position.
Rather than worrying about comparisons to other quarterbacks, Ewers understands that his best shot at holding on to the starting role is to simply focus on the task at hand: winning games for Texas. While Manning’s presence will certainly add pressure, it also provides an opportunity for Ewers to elevate his game. If he can perform at a high level in 2024, it will be hard for anyone to dethrone him, regardless of Manning’s arrival.
Moreover, Ewers’ decision to avoid engaging with Leavitt’s rise or any outside noise shows that he has grown as a leader. College football is full of distractions, and quarterbacks, by nature, are under the microscope. The best quarterbacks know how to block out the external pressure and focus on leading their team to success. Ewers, with his maturity and perspective, is showing that he is capable of doing just that.
Conclusion
As the Texas Longhorns head into the 2024 season, the quarterback situation remains a focal point. Quinn Ewers, the seasoned leader, faces challenges from both within and outside the program. While Arch Manning’s eventual presence in the Texas quarterback room looms large, Ewers has chosen to avoid engaging with the noise surrounding other rising quarterbacks, including Sam Leavitt. Instead, Ewers seems focused on one thing: leading the Longhorns to success. His ability to sidestep distractions and concentrate on improving his game bodes well for his future at Texas, and fans can expect the quarterback competition to unfold with plenty of excitement, drama, and, ultimately, success.