Longhorns Country

Longhorns QB Quinn Ewers a Top-3 Heisman Candidate Per On 3

The Longhorns QB had an up-and-down 2022 season in Austin, but On3 believes he is in for a big 2023

Matt Galatzan

Longhorns QB Quinn Ewers a Top-3 Heisman Candidate Per On 3
Longhorns QB Quinn Ewers a Top-3 Heisman Candidate Per On 3 /
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Quinn Ewers will enter the 2023 season as the Texas Longhorns' unquestioned starter at quarterback. And after an up-and-down 2022, he is expected to take a big leap forward this fall, along with the rest of his team.

Not only are the Longhorns listed as College Football Playoff contenders, Big 12 title contenders, and a top-10 team by various outlets, but some even believe the Longhorns could have arguably the best roster in college football.

Well, add another expectation to that list, because On3 has Ewers listed as a Top-3 Heisman Candidate heading into next season.

The former No. 1 overall recruit flashed his 5-star talent against Alabama and Oklahoma last season, but he also struggled with injuries and inconsistencies. But after a strong spring and surrounded by the best supporting cast of playmakers not at Ohio State, Ewers should have a monster sophomore season.

Beat Alabama in Week 2 or take Texas to the Big 12 Championship and Ewers will be among the favorites to win the award come the end of the year.

Of course, the leader and the favorite heading into the season is USC QB (and reigning Heisman winner), Caleb Williams, with Florida State's Jordan Travis ranking No. 2 on the list. 

Behind Ewers is Michigan's JJ McCarthy, LSY's Jayden Daniels, UNC's Drake Maye, Notre Dame's Sam Hartman, Washington's Michael Penix, Clemson's Cade Klubik, and Ohio State wide receiver, Marvin Harrison Jr. - the only non-quarterback on list. 

So, is the hype justified? Perhaps. Last season, Ewers completed 172 of 296 passes for 2,177 yards and 15 touchdowns with just six interceptions in 10 games. At times, he looked like the best player on the field. At others, he looked lost. 

However, by all accounts, Ewers did seem to take a major step forward this spring in multiple ways. Whether it was his approach, his knowledge of the system, or his chemistry with the skilled position players, Ewers looks to be leaps and bounds ahead of where he was in 2022. 

Not to mention, he has arguably the best group of pass catchers to throw the ball to in the entire country.

Of course, his Heisman candidacy will become much more clear after the Longhorns' trip to Tuscaloosa to take on Alabama in Week 2. And if Ewers can pull off a win there, the sky could be the limit. 

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Matt Galatzan
MATT GALATZAN

Matt Galatzan is the Managing Editor and Publisher of Texas Longhorns On SI and Texas A&M Aggies On SI and a long-time member of the Football Writer’s Association of America. He graduated from the University of Mississippi, where he studied integrated marketing communications, with minors in journalism and business administration. Galatzan started in the sports journalism industry in 2014 covering the Dallas Mavericks and SMU Mustangs with 247Sports. He then moved to Sports Illustrated's Fan Nation network in 2020, eventually being taking over as the Managing Editor and Publisher of the Longhorns and Aggies sites a year later. You can find Galatzan on all major social media channels, including Twitter on @MattGalatzan.

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