Stephen A. Smith has once again stirred controversy with his latest take on the Texas Longhorns’ quarterback situation. On a recent episode of First Take, Smith claimed that Arch Manning “pushed” Quinn Ewers into leaving Texas and declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft. His comments have sparked debate among fans and analysts, with some agreeing that Manning’s presence created pressure for Ewers while others argue that Ewers’ decision was simply based on his NFL aspirations.
Quinn Ewers’ Legacy at Texas
Before analyzing Smith’s claim, it’s important to look at what Quinn Ewers accomplished at Texas. After transferring from Ohio State in 2022, Ewers quickly became the face of the Longhorns’ offense. In his two years as the starter, he led Texas to a 21-5 record, two College Football Playoff appearances, and a Big 12 Championship in 2023.
Ewers’ numbers were impressive—he threw for over 9,000 yards and 68 touchdowns in his college career, solidifying himself as one of the top quarterbacks in the country. His strong 2024 season, where he passed for 4,200 yards and 35 touchdowns, put him firmly on the NFL radar.
Given his success, many believed that Ewers had accomplished all he could at the college level. So why does Stephen A. Smith believe that Arch Manning was the real reason behind his decision to leave?
Stephen A. Smith’s Argument
On First Take, Smith suggested that the hype surrounding Arch Manning may have influenced Ewers’ decision. He argued that while Ewers was the established starter, Manning’s presence loomed large. With the Manning name carrying immense weight in football circles, Smith believes that Ewers saw the writing on the wall—if he stayed for another season, he might have had to fend off competition from Manning or risk being overshadowed by the younger quarterback.
Smith went as far as to say that Ewers “ran away” from Texas because he knew the program was ready to transition to Manning. According to him, even if Ewers had stayed, the pressure from fans and media to start Manning would have grown louder. Rather than dealing with that, Smith implied that Ewers took the easy route—declaring for the draft and leaving Texas to the next big thing.
Is There Truth to Smith’s Claim?
While Smith’s argument is entertaining and provocative, it may not hold much weight when analyzed logically.
1. Ewers Was Always Expected to Declare for the Draft
Ewers was projected as an NFL prospect long before Manning arrived at Texas. Coming into the 2024 season, many believed this would be his final year in college. He had already built a strong résumé, and with his draft stock rising, it made sense for him to leave.
Players don’t stay in college to compete for their job when they have a chance to be a first-round pick. Ewers leaving was about business, not fear of competition.
2. Manning Was Not Ready to Start in 2024
Arch Manning, despite his pedigree, was not a major factor in Texas’ quarterback depth chart in 2024. He played in limited action, completing just 67.8% of his passes for 583 yards and four touchdowns. While his potential is undeniable, he was still developing and was not a serious threat to take Ewers’ starting job.
If Ewers had returned in 2025, he would have remained the unquestioned starter. Manning might have competed for the job in 2026, but there was no immediate risk of Ewers being replaced.
3. Texas Would Have Welcomed Ewers Back
If there were any doubts about Ewers’ place in the program, Texas would have made that clear. However, head coach Steve Sarkisian publicly supported Ewers and never wavered in his commitment to him as the starter.
Had Ewers decided to stay for another season, Texas would have gladly kept him at the helm. Manning would have continued to wait for his turn, just as he did in 2024.
The Reality of College Football Quarterback Battles
Quarterback battles are nothing new in college football, and top programs are always looking for the next big thing. However, that doesn’t mean established starters leave out of fear.
Ewers’ decision was likely a combination of several factors:
- His stock as an NFL prospect was high, making it the right time to enter the draft.
- He had already achieved major accomplishments at Texas, including a College Football Playoff appearance.
- Staying another year could have put him at risk of injury, potentially hurting his draft value.
While Arch Manning’s presence might have played a small role in Ewers’ decision-making, it’s unlikely that he felt threatened enough to “run away,” as Smith suggests.
The Future for Arch Manning
With Ewers moving on, the stage is now set for Arch Manning to take over as Texas’ starting quarterback. This is the moment Texas fans have been waiting for since Manning committed to the program in 2023.
Manning comes from a football dynasty—his grandfather Archie, and uncles Peyton and Eli, were all successful NFL quarterbacks. Expectations for him have been sky-high since he was in high school, and now he finally has the opportunity to prove himself at the college level.
Manning’s development over the past two years has been steady, and now he will be tasked with leading Texas in its first season as an official SEC member. The competition will be tougher, but if Manning lives up to his potential, Texas could remain a powerhouse.
The Verdict on Smith’s Claim
Stephen A. Smith’s assertion that Arch Manning “pushed” Quinn Ewers out of Texas is an entertaining take, but it doesn’t hold up under scrutiny.
Ewers left for the NFL because he was ready—not because he was afraid of Manning. Had he stayed, he would have continued as the starter without much challenge. Manning, while talented, was still developing and would not have unseated Ewers in 2025.
Smith’s claim is a classic example of sports media exaggeration. While competition at the quarterback position is always a factor in decision-making, the reality is that Ewers was always going to take the next step to the NFL, regardless of who was behind him.
As for Manning, he now has the chance to carve out his own legacy at Texas. If he performs well, the Longhorns will continue their rise back to national prominence. If he struggles, Texas may have to look for answers elsewhere. Either way, the pressure is now on him—not Ewers—to prove that he is the future of Texas football.
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