Texas QB Quinn Ewers: The ace of diamonds
AUSTIN, Texas — In 2016, Texas native and Cleveland Browns quarterback, Robert Griffin III, famously quoted Scottish essayist, Thomas Carlyle, by ending a press conference with “no pressure, no diamonds.”
Undoubtedly, the University of Texas at Austin football program confronts both fierce expectations and pressure. On August 28, 2023, University of Texas head football coach, Steve Sarkisian, proclaimed that “we’ve got to embrace the hate.” Texas is not only very popular with fans, but it is also a source of envy and rivalry for many. In this chaotic atmosphere, the starting quarterback, Quinn Ewers, is at the heart of the college football pressure cooker.
Ewers is no stranger to triumphing through adversity. In 2022, he had to navigate a transition to a new city, new system, new coaching staff and program in Austin after a mere four- month stint at Ohio State. With no other viable options, Ewers had to pivot swiftly from having familiarity and a strong bond with his football teammates to learning to construct a new reality in his life.
Ewers seems to be the poster child for controversy and pressure.
Playing football for an institution with such high expectations in athletics, The University of Texas athletes and coaching staff expect facing these intense demands and pressure to win the big games. This is a colossal program within a big state backed by a legion of ride-or-die fans. Being the starting quarterback, Ewers is accompanied by the stress that goes along with holding this high-profile position. Every move he makes is magnified, every play analyzed. The fervent expectations that come from the fans, critics and the program’s illustrious history shines a spotlight on every decision Ewers makes.
For the 2023 season, the pressure escalated with the arrival of Arch Manning. ‘Manning’ is a last name that every football fan recognizes, and it is a name that resonates throughout football history. The five-star commit is going into the same program, vying for the same position as Ewers. Hearing echoes of rumors about the great potential Manning has adds yet another layer onto the shoulders of Ewers. Although it seems that Ewers has a good practice of blocking out the media as he said in a recent interview “I try to stay away as much as possible.”
Also this season, UT is facing their impending departure from the Big-12 Conference and moving to the SEC in 2024. As the university prepares for this transition, the culmination and the ending of the Big-12 era only intensifies the desire for success. This final Big-12 season carries a sense of finality and urgency for achievement that makes every move, thought, play and decision of Ewers even more critical.
The last time UT football ‘met expectations’ was their National Championship in 2005. For Texas fans, that’s a really long time — too long. This is all surrounded by the media buzz of people questioning when Texas is going to get that title back. The ringing of that championship serves as a reminder of success, but it also intensifies the pressure to reclaim that title. Ewers hopes for this dream not only for himself, but for his teammates, coaches, families, and the millions of Texas fans around the world.
As a Longhorn fan, I’m all-in with Quinn this season. He will harness the pressure and achieve greatness in 2023. Maybe great enough to deliver another title to Austin. And if pressure produces diamonds, I’m rooting for Quinn to come out the ‘Ace of Diamonds’.
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