Steve Sarkisian delivers verdict on Quinn Ewers amid pressure of playing backup QB Arch Manning ahead of Clemson clash 

Steve Sarkisian gave an update on quarterback Quinn Ewers on Monday ahead of their College Football Playoff first-round game against the Clemson Tigers. The Texas Longhorns quarterback had a newly developed brace on his ankle in the SEC championship game against the Georgia Bulldogs a few weeks ago.

"The first thing I was encouraged by last week was when we went out to practice, he didn't have that brace on,” Sarkisian said, via Inside Texas. “He's continually getting better."

There's been growing pressure on Sarkisian in recent weeks to start backup quarterback Arch Manning. This is due to a series of underwhelming performances from Quinn Ewers at the crucial part of the season. The coach has, however, kept on playing with Ewers under center.

Steve Sarkisian on players making draft decisions

A couple of Texas players are on the brink of deciding on declaring for the 2025 NFL draft. While this could cause some distraction ahead of the game against Clemson, Steve Sarkisian said that he is advising his players to stay focused.

“I don’t ask any player on our team, ‘Are you turning pro or not,’ because I tell them all, even a couple of guys I met with last week, focus on what we’re doing right now,” Sarkisian said via LoneStarLive.com.

“And I do that with the guys because they want to know, and they’re hearing from agents and all that stuff. The best thing they can do for their future, whether they decide to stay or leave, is to play really good in the College Football Playoff because those will be the games that will get evaluated by the NFL anyway," he added.

Texas has a good crop of players eligible for the 2025 NFL draft. These include Quinn Ewers, Jahdae Barron, Kelvin Banks Jr., Andrew Mukuba and a host of other talent.

Steve Sarkisian discusses team’s spirit ahead of CFP

The Texas Longhorns host the Clemson Tigers on Saturday to kick off this year's College Football Playoff. A win advances the Longhorns to the next round of the playoffs where they will face the Arizona State Sun Devils in the Peach Bowl.

Steve Sarkisian described what the team’s spirit looks like ahead of the game.

“I think our energy level is really high, which is a positive,” Sarkisian said. “I just want to make sure we’re funneling that energy in the right direction, and that’s focusing on what we need to do to play well. Our guys all always respond. When I challenge them with things, they respond, so I feel good about that.

The Longhorns return to the playoffs for the second consecutive year. Though they failed to advance to the championship game last season in the four-team format, do you think they can go all the way this year? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.