“Quinn’s our starter.” That was what Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian said of Quinn Ewers in February when Arch Manning confirmed his commitment to the program after potential transfer rumors. The starting QB improved tremendously last season, completing 69% of his passes and recording 3,479 yards and 22 TDs, propelling his team to a 12-2 record with a Big 12 title. 

With Manning in the picture, it has led to speculation that he might replace Ewers as the starter. Sarkisian had said then, “I don’t think that Quinn was a finished product yet… I do think his experience, his maturity are all going to be things he can benefit from.” But now, it looks like reality has become more complex than that. 

Steve Sarkisian wants Arch Manning to be prepared 

The University of Texas columnist Anwar Richardson recently uploaded a report on X on Steve Sarkisian’s latest thoughts about Arch Manning. Despite envisioning him as the backup QB, the HC now “believes it is important for Arch Manning to be ready for the upcoming season.” Richardson also pointed out that this necessity stems from the program’s QBs’ knack for injury every year. 

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Last season, Quinn Ewers suffered an AC joint sprain in his throwing shoulder during a game against Houston, leading to QB2 Maalik Murphy taking his place. In 2022, he suffered another injury (clavicle sprain) that sidelined him for three games. Besides, the new NCAA’s injury rule is giving Sarkisian the pressure to keep things prepared by readying the 5-star backup QB for the upcoming season. 

A look into the NCAA’s new injury propositions

As the Longhorns bade farewell to the Big 12 conference by joining the SEC a year early in 2024, they were met with a new conference update with Sarkisian rethinking his strategy. Per journalist Brett McMurphy’s post on X, “SEC commish Greg Sankey said league will discuss player availability reports, such as injury reports, at SEC spring meetings, but does not expect a decision this week.”

While no decision has been taken yet, many coaches have nodded their approval for this measure that would mandate injury reports. Sankey said, “When you start to see the number of dollars being bet on legalized sports gambling around college sports, not just football, but men’s and women’s basketball, volleyball and baseball and softball, all those catch your attention, we have to be thoughtful about how information is managed.“ We can only hope this will solve any issues they have.