Yes, Texas told the nation that quarterback Quinn Ewers had strained his oblique, and head coach Steve Sarkisian rested his QB1 for two regular-season games throughout the year because of it. Well, now, it has been reported that Ewers actually tore his oblique and played through the much more serious injury throughout most of the season.
So, not to say I told you so, but I did. Ewers didn't look quite right when he returned to play from his two-game break. He looked like he had lost his confidence, his throws didn't have any "oomph" behind them, and his style of play had changed, almost entirely.
Pelissero reports Quinn Ewers played almost the entire season with a torn oblique. https://t.co/O8dlhH9nIW
— Zach Barnett (@zach_barnett) February 25, 2025
Sure, it's admirable that Ewers wanted to play through the injury for his team but it negatively affected his abilities on the field which consequently hurt the Longhorns' first season in the SEC and their run in the College Football Playoffs.
Also read: If Sarkisian wants to make a playoff run, he must start Arch Manning now, not later
Following the injury, which is believed to have taken place in Texas' non-conference matchup against the UTSA Roadrunners, Arch Manning became the starting quarterback for two games and he led the Horns to dominant wins over UL-Monroe and Mississippi State.
None of this is to say that Ewers didn't do a great job in some of the Longhorns' conference matchups. He was dominant against the Oklahoma Sooners in his first game back from the injury and led Texas to a winning record in the regular season.
Then, the SEC Championship game came along and Ewers looked rattled. Texas' QB1 threw two interceptions while scoring just one touchdown and rushing for -27 yards. Ewers continued to struggle with passing as the College Football Playoffs unfolded, and he threw a touchdown in each of Texas' postseason games.
Yes, Ewers led Texas to its first CFP wins when the Longhorns defeated the Clemson Tigers and the Arizona State Sun Devils in the first two rounds. However, his in-game decision-making looked altered and negatively affected. Now, many are looking to that injury as the reason.
Sarkisian should have started Arch. It would have given the younger quarterback a longer time to prepare for the 2025 season and find his footing as a Power Conference starting quarterback. It also would have given Ewers a much longer time to heal––whether that be ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft or another season of college football.