Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers had a “good week” during the bye to ensure he holds down the starting job over Arch Manning.

In recent weeks, Ewers has battled through injury and struggles with form while Manning has been breathing down his neck. However, the junior has kept hold of the starting job for the Longhorns despite pressure on head coach Steve Sarkisian to give Manning the chance to lead the team forward.

Manning, the nephew of double Super Bowl winners Peyton and Eli Manning, is widely considered a top quarterback prospect and is eligible to declare for the 2026 NFL Draft. When Ewers suffered an oblique injury, the 19-year-old started against Louisiana Monroe and Mississippi State and threw four touchdown passes while adding another score on the ground.

Manning led the Longhorns to a 2-0 record as a starter. After replacing Ewers in the UTSA victory, he threw a touchdown pass on his first play in college football before running for a stunning 67-yard score on just his third snap.

Manning also made a surprise appearance in the defeat to Georgia last month, replacing a struggling but healthy Ewers for the final two series of the first half. However, the starter returned after the interval.

Amid the growing competition between the two quarterbacks, Texas head coach Sarkisian appeared to suggest Ewers is in pole position to start following a productive bye week. On Monday, Sarkisian claimed Ewers is nearing his old best as he continues to get healthier.

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Quinn Ewers is set to join the NFL at the end of the college football season

Quinn Ewers is set to join the NFL at the end of the college football season ( 

Image:

AP)

“I thought Quinn had a good week,” Sarkisian said. “He looks fresh, he looks healthy. He’s really delivering the ball well. I like his base that he’s operating with. Thought he was really intentional with his feet, with his base against Vanderbilt, and it showed.”

In the 27-24 win over Vanderbilt, which saw No. 5 Texas move to 7-1, Ewers finished 27 of 37 passing for 288 yards and three touchdowns along with two interceptions – both from tipped passes. Ewers also had 17 straight completions at one stage in the first half.

Despite enduring perhaps the worst game of his collegiate career in the 30-15 loss to Georgia, Ewers is eyeing a resurgence down the stretch as he moves closer to full fitness. Ahead of entering the 2025 NFL Draft, Ewers will hope to lead the Longhorns to an SEC Championship as well as a second straight College Football Playoff appearance.

Texas is next in action against Florida in Austin on Saturday, Nov. 9.