Quinn’s Quest: Quinn Ewers’s Final NFL Draft 2025 Selection Significantly Impacts Arch Manning’s Future with the Texas Longhorns
The 2025 NFL Draft is shaping up to be one of the most consequential drafts for the Texas Longhorns program in recent memory, and at the center of it all is Quinn Ewers, Texas’ talented quarterback who is set to make the leap to the NFL. His decision to enter the draft, along with his eventual selection and the ripple effects that follow, will not only impact his future but also have significant implications for another highly-anticipated quarterback at Texas: Arch Manning. With Manning widely regarded as one of the most coveted quarterback prospects in recent history, his future at Texas and his development as the next face of the Longhorns’ football program are closely tied to Ewers’s draft selection.
Ewers’s journey to the NFL Draft is as complex and dynamic as it gets. Having arrived at Texas with enormous expectations after transferring from Ohio State, he flashed moments of brilliance and showed the kind of promise that many believe could one day make him a top pick in the NFL. Yet, the inconsistency in his play, coupled with the overall growth of the Longhorns program, created a dynamic situation that will ultimately affect both his draft stock and the future of the program. At the same time, Manning’s arrival as a highly-recruited freshman—coming from the first family of football quarterbacks—has added yet another layer of intrigue to the situation, with speculation running rampant about how Ewers’s draft decision will shape Manning’s path at Texas.
This article will explore the pivotal connection between Ewers’s 2025 NFL Draft selection and Arch Manning’s future with the Texas Longhorns, analyzing how Quinn’s draft process could serve as a key inflection point for Manning’s trajectory in Austin, Texas.
The Quinn Ewers Story: From Potential to Realization
Before diving into the implications of Ewers’s draft selection on Manning’s future, it’s important to understand where Ewers stands as a quarterback and the significance of his draft decision. Ewers entered Texas as a five-star recruit in 2021, regarded as one of the top quarterbacks in the country with an elite arm and exceptional raw talent. After initially committing to play for the University of Texas out of high school, Ewers ultimately transferred from Ohio State to Texas, looking to capitalize on a more prominent starting role.
In his first two seasons with the Longhorns, Ewers displayed tantalizing flashes of brilliance. His deep ball accuracy, natural arm strength, and poise in the pocket earned him comparisons to top-tier quarterbacks. However, there were also moments of inconsistency. Poor decision-making, erratic throws, and struggles in key situations prevented him from fully realizing his potential on the field. Despite those inconsistencies, Ewers’s upside was undeniable, and many believed that once he fine-tuned his game, he had the tools to be a franchise quarterback in the NFL.
By the time the 2025 NFL Draft rolls around, Ewers will have completed his third season with Texas, showcasing the ability to lead a high-powered offense and elevate his game at times to elite levels. His draft stock will be dependent on his overall performance in his final college season—his decision-making, accuracy, consistency, and ability to elevate his teammates to a new level of success.
At the same time, the uncertainty surrounding Ewers’s draft decision—the degree to which he will be selected and in what round—could cause ripple effects at Texas. If Ewers is drafted in the first round or even the second, it could signal the beginning of the Longhorns’ transition away from the Quinn Ewers era. Conversely, a late-round or undrafted selection would likely lead to more questions about his readiness for the NFL, and possibly a more extended period of development before he finds his footing at the next level.
Arch Manning’s Arrival: The Most Anticipated Freshman Quarterback in Years
While Ewers has garnered his fair share of attention as a future NFL prospect, the true intrigue around the Texas quarterback position centers on the arrival of Arch Manning. The nephew of NFL legends Peyton and Eli Manning, Arch comes to Austin with expectations as high as any freshman quarterback in recent history. Having been groomed by the Manning family and playing at one of the most prestigious high schools in the country, Arch Manning enters Texas with one of the most impressive resumes of any high school quarterback prospect. His athleticism, decision-making, and poise under pressure have earned him the title of “next big thing,” and many believe he is destined to become a top-tier NFL quarterback, even though his development at Texas will take time.
Manning’s arrival at Texas creates a unique situation for the Longhorns. Texas has long been searching for a quarterback who can bring stability and success to the program, and Manning could be that player. The fact that Manning is not only a highly-touted prospect but also comes from a football dynasty further adds to the sense of anticipation surrounding his future in Austin. The pressure to succeed will be immense, but Manning’s pedigree and composure suggest that he can handle the expectations and the scrutiny that will come with his every move.
However, Manning’s path to the starting job is anything but guaranteed. The presence of Ewers—who is expected to be the starting quarterback for the Longhorns in 2024—means that Manning will have to wait for his opportunity. Even with his stellar high school career, Manning will likely be asked to develop in practice and learn the Texas system before being thrust into the starting role. The reality of competing with a player like Ewers could either accelerate Manning’s development or create friction depending on how the competition is managed.
Ewers’s 2025 NFL Draft Decision and Its Impact on Arch Manning
As Quinn Ewers navigates the 2025 NFL Draft process, his decision to leave Texas early and the manner in which he is selected will have a profound impact on Arch Manning’s future with the Longhorns. Several key factors come into play here, and each has the potential to influence Manning’s trajectory at Texas:
1. Ewers Leaves Early: Manning’s Immediate Opportunity
If Ewers is drafted in the first or second round of the 2025 NFL Draft, his departure would clear the way for Manning to take over as the Texas starting quarterback in 2025. This scenario would be ideal for Manning, as he would not need to wait long to begin his career as the Longhorns’ starter. The advantage of stepping into the starting role early is clear: Manning would be able to immediately showcase his abilities and start the process of becoming the face of the program.
Moreover, a situation where Ewers leaves and Manning steps in as the starter would be a major boost for the Texas program. With Manning’s star power and high profile, the Longhorns would instantly become one of the most talked-about teams in college football. Manning would be able to shape the future of the program, and his success (or lack thereof) would have a lasting impact on the perception of Texas football in the years to come.
2. Ewers Stays for Another Year: Manning’s Developmental Path
Alternatively, if Ewers decides to return to Texas for another season, it would delay Manning’s ascension to the starting role. This situation would give Manning additional time to learn the offense, adjust to the speed of the college game, and compete for the starting job in 2026. While Manning would not immediately step into the spotlight, this extra year of development would be invaluable for his long-term growth.
Ewers’s return would allow Manning to be mentored by a player who has seen his fair share of struggles and successes at the college level. This mentorship could provide Manning with valuable insight into what it takes to succeed in the Big 12 and help him adjust to the high expectations that come with being a Manning.
3. A High Draft Pick for Ewers: Manning Faces a High Bar
A high draft pick for Ewers could set a higher bar for Manning, as the Longhorns may feel even more pressure to put Manning on the field quickly and maximize his potential. It could accelerate the timeline for Manning’s start and put added pressure on him to perform from day one. However, this situation could also work to Manning’s benefit in terms of developing under the spotlight and adjusting to the enormous expectations placed on him. The competition would be fierce, but with the right support system in place, Manning could thrive in a situation where the Texas program is already built around success.
4. A Low Draft Pick for Ewers: Manning’s Time to Shine
A more middling draft selection for Ewers could put even more pressure on Manning to perform immediately. If Ewers is selected later than expected or fails to make an immediate impact in the NFL, Manning’s time at Texas could be more open-ended. The uncertainty surrounding the program’s quarterback situation could result in a quicker path for Manning to assume the starting job, though that could come with more growing pains and the weight of expectations.
Conclusion
The 2025 NFL Draft holds immense significance not only for Quinn Ewers’s career but also for Arch Manning’s future at Texas. Ewers’s decision to enter the draft, along with his ultimate selection, will shape the course of Manning’s development and his potential to become the Longhorns’ next great quarterback. Whether Ewers leaves early or stays for another season, Manning’s path to the starting job will be influenced by Ewers’s performance in the draft and the future of the Texas quarterback room.
For Longhorns fans, the intersection of these two quarterbacks—Ewers’s journey to the NFL and Manning’s rise to prominence at Texas—will define the next chapter in the storied history of Texas football. Whatever happens in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Longhorns’ quarterback situation is one to watch, with Quinn Ewers’s legacy and Arch Manning’s future intertwined in a critical moment for the program.