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In an interview with ESPN’s Andrea Adelson at SEC Media Days on Wednesday, Sarkisian said, “We’re probably going to need [Ewers and Manning] at some point this season.”

Sarkisian didn’t indicate he has created special packages for Manning and dismissed the notion that playing time has led to a rift between the QBs.

Last season, Ewers made massive improvements. In 12 games, the junior completed 69% of his passes for 3,479 yards, 22 touchdowns, six interceptions and an above-average 78.3 QBR, leading the Longhorns to their first College Football Playoff. As of Wednesday, FanDuel gives him the third-best Heisman trophy odds (+1000) behind Georgia QB Carson Beck and Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel. 

However, Ewers suffered shoulder injuries during his first two seasons at Texas. In 2022, he missed three games after spraining his left clavicle in a Week 2 home loss vs. Alabama. Last season, a right AC joint sprain sidelined him for two games.  

Manning — the nephew of Super Bowl champions Peyton and Eli — only threw five passes in two games during his freshman season, but he clearly made progress this offseason.

In the Longhorns spring game, he threw for 355 yards and three touchdowns. Per Adelson, Sarkisian admitted he was ecstatic about his performance. 

Ewers suffering another injury wouldn’t be ideal for the Longhorns, but Manning showing he can fill in for him is a win for the program.

Pro Football Focus’ Max Chadwick rates the Longhorns QB room No. 3 in the country. The depth at the most important position should put Texas in the thick of the national championship hunt.