In the world of college football, few positions carry as much weight as the quarterback. A team’s leader, often the face of the program, the quarterback is not only expected to perform on the field but also handle the pressures that come with the position. For the University of Texas, the quarterback position has been a source of both excitement and scrutiny in recent years. With the highly anticipated arrival of Arch Manning, a quarterback whose family legacy casts a long shadow, the spotlight on Texas quarterbacks has never been more intense.
Yet, amid all the expectations surrounding the program, one player has stood out in how he has handled the spotlight: Quinn Ewers. The starting quarterback for the Texas Longhorns, Ewers has faced more media attention than most college athletes ever will. But through it all, he has managed to maintain his composure and focus on what matters most: winning football games. Arch Manning, the freshman quarterback who has come to Texas with his own immense hype, recently praised Ewers for his poise under pressure, saying that Ewers has handled the media attention “like a champ.”
Arch Manning, who himself comes with an immense amount of media attention, has not only been thrust into the limelight due to his famous last name but also because of his promising future. Coming from the Manning family, arguably the most well-known family in football history, Arch Manning has been under constant scrutiny since his high school days. His recruitment was one of the most talked-about stories in recent years, and his decision to attend Texas only added to the spectacle. However, Manning’s transition to Texas has been made easier by the presence of Ewers, who has been nothing short of exemplary in handling the pressure that comes with being the starting quarterback for a storied program like Texas.
When Ewers arrived at Texas, he was immediately thrust into a position of high expectation. After transferring from Ohio State, where he had been a five-star recruit and a top prospect in his own right, Ewers became the focal point of the Longhorns’ offense. From day one, he was expected to take the reins of a program that had struggled in recent years to regain its former glory. The pressure on Ewers was immense, and with the weight of the Texas program on his shoulders, the media attention was inevitable. However, through it all, Ewers maintained a level of calm and focus that surprised many.
For Arch Manning, who has known his fair share of media attention, Ewers’ ability to handle the scrutiny with grace is something that he admires greatly. Manning, who arrived at Texas in the spring of 2025, is no stranger to the challenges of being in the public eye. But as the freshman observed Ewers’ performance on and off the field, it was clear that Ewers had set a standard for how to handle such pressure.
“Quinn’s been through a lot,” Manning said in a recent interview. “He’s been the guy at Ohio State, and then he came here to Texas, where there’s a lot of attention, a lot of pressure. And he’s handled it all like a champ. He’s stayed focused, kept his head down, and just worked. That’s something I really respect.”
What Manning was referring to was not just Ewers’ play on the field but also his demeanor in front of the media. Being the starting quarterback at a school like Texas comes with the burden of constant scrutiny. Every practice, every game, and every interview is analyzed and dissected. For a young player like Ewers, this can be overwhelming. But the Texas quarterback has handled it with maturity beyond his years.
Ewers’ calm demeanor in the face of intense pressure has been a topic of conversation among coaches, teammates, and analysts. Despite the relentless media coverage and the high expectations placed on him, Ewers has consistently shown a level of professionalism that is rare in college football. In interviews, he comes across as composed and thoughtful, never getting rattled by the questions or the attention. On the field, he exudes confidence, leading his team with poise and control.
For a player like Ewers, it’s not just about playing the game; it’s about managing the narrative that surrounds him. In today’s social media-driven world, athletes are constantly under the microscope, with every move being scrutinized by fans, journalists, and analysts. It’s a pressure that can easily affect a player’s performance if they allow it to. But Ewers has proven time and time again that he can rise above the noise and stay focused on his ultimate goal: leading the Longhorns to victory.
For Manning, who has been observing Ewers’ handling of the media since his arrival, this has been a learning experience. While Manning is still in the early stages of his career at Texas, he has already begun to appreciate the value of Ewers’ approach to the position. As Manning continues to grow and develop as a player, he will undoubtedly face his own media scrutiny. But with Ewers serving as a role model, Manning has a strong example to follow.
Part of Ewers’ ability to handle the media attention so effectively can be traced to his upbringing. Growing up in the public eye, Ewers was no stranger to the spotlight long before he stepped onto the campus at Texas. His background as a highly recruited quarterback who transferred from Ohio State meant that he had been subject to constant attention throughout his young career. From high school to college, Ewers has had to navigate the demands of being a top quarterback prospect.
But rather than letting the pressure overwhelm him, Ewers has used it as motivation. He has consistently expressed his desire to improve and help his team succeed, focusing on the game itself rather than the surrounding distractions. His ability to block out the external noise has allowed him to stay grounded and focused on the task at hand.
It’s this focus that has helped Ewers develop into one of the top quarterbacks in college football. As the Longhorns look ahead to the upcoming seasons, they are counting on Ewers to lead them to success. But regardless of the outcomes on the field, Ewers has already proven that he has the mental toughness necessary to handle the challenges that come with the position. His ability to handle the media spotlight with poise and professionalism sets him apart from many of his peers.
For Manning, seeing how Ewers has navigated the pressures of being Texas’ starting quarterback has been a valuable lesson. While Manning’s own career at Texas is just beginning, he knows that he will one day face the same level of scrutiny that Ewers has faced. But with a role model like Ewers to look up to, Manning is confident that he will be able to handle the pressure in his own way.
Ultimately, the story of Quinn Ewers’ handling of media attention is one of maturity and professionalism. In an era where the spotlight is often overwhelming for young athletes, Ewers has proven that it is possible to stay grounded and focused. His approach to the quarterback position, both on and off the field, is a blueprint for how to navigate the intense media scrutiny that comes with being a top recruit at a major program like Texas. For Arch Manning, the lessons learned from Ewers’ example will undoubtedly help him as he begins his own journey with the Longhorns. And for Texas football, having a player like Ewers – and now Manning – on the roster gives the program the kind of leadership it needs to thrive in the spotlight.