It’s been a rollercoaster of emotions for one of the top targets on the Texas Longhorns‘ 2024 roster. Shortly after entering the transfer portal and signing for the Washington Huskies, former weapon of Arch Manning and Quinn Ewers has parted ways with his new school and is back in the market.
Manning takes the reins
Fans in Austin are excited about the future. Arch Manning, the highly-touted redshirt sophomore quarterback, will take over under center, and based on his small sample size, there are promising times ahead for the Longhorns. However, the talent around Manning will be very different from what Quinn Ewers had this past year.
The Texas Longhorns are gearing up for an ultra-competitive 2025 season, one in which Manning will be tested as a starter for the first time. Expectations are sky-high for the burnt orange as they head into their first ‘post-Ewers’ campaign, and the 19-year-old college football sensation will need to rise to the occasion.
Key departures and challenges
However, the Longhorns face significant uncertainty at several skill positions, as key players have moved on to the next chapter of their careers and declared for the NFL Draft. Notable departures include:
- TE Gunnar Helm
- WR Matthew Golden
- WR Silas Bolden
- WR Isaiah Bond
- WR Johntay Cook
- RB Jaydon Blue
- OT Kelvin Banks
- OT Cam Williams
This leaves Manning with a new cast of characters to work with, and the pressure will be on him to develop chemistry quickly as the team prepares for a challenging season.
The Johntay Cook saga
However, there is one electric wide receiver who won’t be available for Manning on the gridiron and hasn’t declared for the Draft either. Wideout Johntay Cook has yet to showcase his top-notch abilities in college football. Although he initially signed with the Huskies after entering the transfer portal, he and the school parted ways just one week after signing.
Cook, a five-star recruit in the 2023 class, had a disappointing season, appearing in only six games and registering 8 receptions for 137 yards and 2 touchdowns. “He was on campus for approx. 48 hours before the decision was made to part ways,” Washington Athletics declined to comment about the situation, as reported by insiders.
Quinn Ewers makes final NFL decision
After a disappointing conclusion to the 2024 NCAA season, much buzz revolved around Ewers and his pending decision on his career’s future. While reports indicated he’d be open to returning to school for one more year, possibly transferring out of Austin, the quarterback has now set the record straight after announcing his decision.
“Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers is declaring for the NFL draft,” his agent Ron Slavin told ESPN. Ewers leaves behind a strong legacy at The Forty Acres, though the absence of a National Championship game appearance may linger. Still, Ewers is ready to take on even bigger challenges in his career as he embarks on his NFL journey.
Johntay Cook II #1 of the Texas Longhorns catches a pass for a touchdown while defended by Elijah Newell #22 of the UTSA Roadrunners in the second half at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on September 14, 2024 in Austin, Texas.
Looking ahead
As the Longhorns prepare for the upcoming season, the spotlight will undoubtedly be on Manning. Can he handle the pressure? Will he be able to forge connections with new teammates? The answers to these questions will be pivotal in determining Texas’s success in the 2025 season.
With a mixture of excitement and uncertainty, the Longhorns are set to embark on a new chapter. Fans are hopeful that Manning can lead the team back to prominence, but it will take time, patience, and a lot of hard work. The college football landscape is ever-changing, and the Longhorns will need to adapt quickly to stay competitive.
