The Texas Longhorns kicked off their season in an exciting and dominant fashion this afternoon against the Colorado State Rams. As anticipated, they controlled the game from start to finish, ultimately securing a commanding 52-0 victory.
Fans were eager to see if Arch Manning would make an appearance, and thanks to Quinn Ewers and the starters building a significant lead, that opportunity arose. Manning entered the game in the second half and delivered an impressive performance.
He completed five of his six passes for 95 yards, threw a touchdown, and added another score on the ground. Manning’s debut highlighted his readiness to step in when needed, even though Ewers remains the undisputed starter unless something drastic happens.
ARCH MANNING WITH HIS FIRST COLLEGIATE TD PASS đ„ pic.twitter.com/nAcXUbyreI
— ESPN (@espn) August 31, 2024
This performance marked Manning’s first career college passing touchdown, a milestone that could be the start of many more to come for the Longhorns. Despite offseason speculation about a potential transfer due to limited playing time, Manning chose to stay at Texas, demonstrating remarkable maturity. He is poised to take over in 2025, recognizing the talent Texas will have next season.
While fans might hope to see more of Manning this year, his playing time will likely be limited to situations where the Longhorns build substantial leads. Ewers also had a strong showing, completing 20 of 27 passes for 260 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception, leaving little reason to expect a shift in the quarterback hierarchy.
Manningâs solid performance could further boost his NIL valuation, currently ranked No. 3 among all NIL athletes and No. 2 in college football, with a $3.1 million valuation by On3. His outing today reinforced his status as a future star, ready to step up next year, barring any unexpected developments.
Texas Longhorns QB Quinn Ewers Receives Major Ranking Ahead of 2024 Season
The Texas Longhorns are set to kick off the 2024 college football season, starting with a home game against Colorado State on Saturday.
Quinn Ewers is anticipated to have a standout year, with many expecting him to lead Texas into contention for the National Championship. Ewers is also generating significant personal buzz, being touted as a top Heisman Trophy candidate.
Zach Braziller of the New York Post recently ranked Ewers No. 2 in his top 10 Heisman Trophy contenders for 2024, just behind Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Carson Beck. Braziller noted, “Texas is back, and Ewers is a major reason for that. The highly regarded draft prospect led the Longhorns to their first College Football Playoff berth last year and seems primed to be even better as a junior. Heâll get an early chance to catch the attention of voters when Texas visits defending national champion Michigan on Sept. 7.”
On and off the field, Ewers has become one of the most prominent quarterbacks in the nation. His NIL valuation from On3 stands at $1.7 million, placing him No. 6 overall among NIL athletes and No. 5 in college football.
This season is expected to be Ewers’ last before declaring for the NFL. In 2023, he completed 70.7% of his passes for 3,479 yards, 22 touchdowns, and six interceptions, along with five rushing touchdowns. These stats have positioned him as one of the top quarterback prospects for the 2025 NFL Draft.
If Ewers meets or exceeds expectations this season and becomes a Heisman Trophy finalist, his draft stock could rise even further. With his potential, Ewers is in control of his own future and is poised for a remarkable season. Expect him to not only meet the hype but surpass it, putting himself in strong contention for the Heisman Trophy.
