Quinn Ewers transfer rumors: CFB insider dismisses Texas QB's move to Georgia despite Carson Beck's season-ending injury

Despite the discourse surrounding Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers and his backup, Arch Manning, coach Steve Sarkisian backed his QB1. This came after Ewers led the Longhorns past the No. 12 Clemson Tigers in the first round of the College Football Playoff. Ewers tallied 202 yards on 70.8% completion resulting in one touchdown and one interception.

During a segment of the "Number 1 Show," analyst RJ Young dismissed any possibility of coach Kirby Smart's Georgia Bulldogs making a move for Ewers via the transfer portal after Carson Beck's season-ending injury and subsequent declaration for the NFL Draft (6:44).

"I also think it's kind of looking at Carson Beck who has undergone shoulder surgery who might not have a spot at Georgia," RJ Young said. "You look at those two quarterback rooms and Quinn Ewers and Arch (Manning), you're not quite sure what you have behind those guys.

At Georgia, you have a really great example of Kirby Smart just being able to recruit quarterbacks and keep them. And now we're asking when do we get to see Gunner Stockton in the college football playoffs and he seems like the heir apparent in 2025 much like Arch."

Quinn Ewers status in Texas' CFP plans questioned

During a recent episode of "Get Up," ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky opined that for the Texas Longhorns to beat any decent team in the playoffs, coach Steve Sarkisian would have to introduce Arch Manning over Quinn Ewers.

“I do not think that they can win the whole thing unless Arch Manning plays a decent amount at quarterback,” Orlovsky said. “… That’s where I think he has to play. I really believe Texas, in that situation, has to take Quinn Ewers out of the game and put Arch Manning in the game. Your question to Harry was if there’s a struggle, a short leash. I don’t even think the leash is the conversation.

"I think the plan has to be Arch Manning goes into the football game when Texas gets down towards that or in that red zone area. It has to be 11-on-11 football because the passing game? Down there, it hasn’t been as precise as it needs to be. They’re not going to – they might be able to squeak by a Clemson if they play offensively the way that they did in the title game but they’re not going to beat anybody after that game.”

The Texas Longhorns will face the No. 12 Arizona State Sun Devils in the next round and coach Kenny Dillingham's high-flying team will likely pose a stiffer test for coach Steve Sarkisian than the Clemson Tigers.

College football fans will watch keenly whether Sarkisian sticks with Quinn Ewers or opts for the Arch Manning option in the latter stages of the playoffs.