Quinn Ewers gets a lot of flack. Media and fans have second guessed his every move since his high school days at Southlake Carroll. There are even suggestions that Texas coach Steve Sarkisian hampered the development of Arch Manning, and UT’s chances at a national title, by sticking with Ewers as the Longhorns starting quarterback.
But Sark says things aren’t that simple. He sat down with Josh Pate for a wide-ranging interview, where he made sure to defend his former QB from naysayers.
“First of all, Quinn Ewers decided to come to the University of Texas when we were a 5-11 football team. We owe a ton to Quinn,” Sarkisian said. “Because if Quinn Ewers doesn’t come, I don’t know if the next five guys are coming. And if those next 5 guys don’t come, I don’t know if the next 10 guys are coming.”
I asked @CoachSark how he felt about people criticizing Quinn Ewers for entering the NFL Draft pic.twitter.com/YdYB6LOY8d
Sark says Ewers legacy at Texas is filled with achievements, but it goes beyond just on-field success.
“Here’s a guy that started for three years at quarterback for us,” Sark told Pate. “Battled injuries all three years. Leads us to two college football playoffs. Leads us to a Big 12 championship. Leads us to an SEC Championship Game, our first year in the conference. And that’s his ‘legacy’ here. His legacy is way bigger than just that.”
But the criticism of Ewers hasn’t ended with him going pro. Ewers had a year of college eligibility left. He could have stayed at Texas and tried to win a national title and help his NFL Draft stock in Austin. But that might have led to Manning transferring.
Ewers could have transferred to another school and reportedly made $8 million dollars in NIL money. Ewers certainly gave up millions to go pro. He was drafted much later in the 2025 NFL Draft than he hoped. The Miami Dolphins too Ewers with the 231st pick in the seventh round.
Sark thinks people should be very careful criticizing career decisions by 20-year-olds.
“Everybody has a comment about a kid who leaves a school and goes to another school for more money.” Sark said. “All of a sudden, here’s Quinn Ewers who decides not to go to another school to say, ‘You know what? I’ve left a legacy at the University of Texas. I’m going to go chase my dreams and fulfill my dreams of playing in the NFL.’ And now those same people are saying, ‘How can he not go take that (NIL) money?'”
“Who are we to judge and criticize a young man who is making a decision about his future? Who has only done things the right way to the best of his ability. Who gave everything he could to our program. And decided, now’s my time. To criticize him for now taking the money? I mean what are we talking about?”
This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Texas coach Steve Sarkisian defends decision to stick with former QB Quinn Ewers
Reporting by Trey Luerssen, Longhorns Wire / Longhorns Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
