Texas Football: 4 players that will make or break Longhorns 2023 season

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Quinn Ewers, QB

No Longhorns players are more important to the team’s success this fall than Ewers. The second-year starting quarterback must elevate his game to take this team to new heights in the final year in the Big 12 for the Longhorns.

Ewers had his ups and downs as Texas’ starting quarterback last season. He got off to a hot start in the first quarter at home against the Alabama Crimson Tide last season before suffering a shoulder injury on a hit by edge rusher Dallas Turner.

His hot streak continued when Ewers returned from injury against the Oklahoma Sooners in the Red River Rivalry game. But Ewers suffered a dip in play in the next few weeks after the dominant 49-0 win over the Sooners. He didn’t hold up well under pressure in the pocket in some of Texas’ next Big 12 games, especially in losses to the Oklahoma State Cowboys and TCU Horned Frogs.

Ewers tossed just two touchdowns and four interceptions in the losses to Oklahoma State and TCU combined.

To close out the season, Ewers was more effective in taking care of the football, as he didn’t throw a single pick in the final three games of the campaign. He looked more confident leading the offense in the bowl game against Washington.

Ewers continued the maturation process while becoming a more confident leader of the offense early this offseason. We all know when he cut off the mullet, serving as a turning point in his development and maturation as the starting quarterback.

We’ve heard much about Ewers’ improved confidence and leadership during summer workouts and fall camp. He’s had total command of the offense throughout training camp. It’s a different version of Ewers compared to what we saw from him at the same time last year in fall camp.

Suppose Ewers translates the growth he’s shown on the practice field this offseason in live-game situations early this season. In that case, Texas will push Alabama to the brink when the two teams meet in Tuscaloosa on Sep. 9. He has all the talent to be one of the best throwers in college football this season.

Despite his struggles last season, Ewers did show flashes of becoming the quarterback who can make all the throws and hold up under pressure to get the ball out effectively. He ranked third among Big 12 starting quarterbacks last season in passer efficiency on passing attempts while throwing on the run, showing that he can deliver the ball effectively when he’s forced to climb or evade the pocket.

If Ewers does start living up to the hype we’ve heard coming out of training camp this offseason, he’ll put this team in a position to make a run at the Big 12 title and potentially challenge for a College Football Playoff berth this season. There will be more weight on his shoulders this season to lead the offense with standout running backs Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson gone to the NFL.