The Texas Longhorns quarterback battle is only just beginning as we are three weeks into spring practice. Steve Sarkisian, A.J. Milwee, and the rest of the offensive staff have kept a close eye on Hudson Card and Quinn Ewers throughout practices.

The Texas Longhorns Quarterback Battle

The Case For Hudson Card

Last year, Hudson Card was competing against Casey Thompson for the chance to lead the Longhorns week one. Card would end up winning the job. He would start for the first two games until Casey Thompson supplanted him before week three.

This season, Hudson Card comes in as the more experienced option. Quinn Ewers spent his first redshirt college season in Columbus, Ohio. Card’s knowledge of the playbook and chemistry with most of the playmakers has pushed him into the lead thus far.

Quinn Ewers is the quarterback who is regarded as a golden armed prodigy. However, Hudson Card has all of the necessary tools to become an great college quarterback and even an NFL quarterback.

Hudson Card was ranked as a top sixty player coming out of high school. Card was only behind Bryce Young, D.J. Uiagalelei, and C.J. Stroud in the 2020 recruiting rankings among all quarterbacks (per 247sports).

Hudson Card’s biggest problem last season was his ability to handle pressure. Card’s ability to make off-schedule or “backyard football” plays was severely lacking. Elite quarterbacks show how important it is to be a playmaker when your offensive line is beat or your receivers aren’t open every week. Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, etc. all have that special trait.

If Hudson Card shows that ability he could be the Longhorns starter in 2022. However, that will be difficult to show without playing in live-action games.

The Case For Quinn Ewers

Quinn Ewers is the most talented quarterback to come to the Forty Acres since Vince Young. With a number one overall recruit ranking and perfect 1.000 rating according to 247sports, Ewers is the golden child and/or prodigy of Texas Football. Growing up a Texas fan only solidifies that narrative.

However, for all of the Ewers hype and excitement, Texas Longhorn fans have to remember that he is still only 19 years old. Hudson Card will be 21 by the time the Longhorns take the field versus ULM in week one.

When Quinn Ewers reclassified into the 2021 recruiting class (he was supposed to be apart of the 2022 recruiting cycle, before graduating high school early and enrolling at Ohio State), he sped up his timeline.

That does not mean his development sped up as well. It very well could have, but if it hasn’t it would be similar to a true freshman coming in and taking the job from a veteran player, similar (although not a perfect comparison) to Bryce Young and Mac Jones in 2020, Sarkisian’s last year with Alabama.

Mac Jones would go on to beat out the uber-talented Bryce Young, mainly because of his comfort and knowledge of the offense. Bryce Young would then take the job in 2021 and go on and win the Heisman Trophy.

Quinn Ewers’ case to win the job is simple, he is obviously the more talented player. The only thing holding him back from taking the job away from Hudson Card at the moment is his experience.

Conclusion

Right now, Hudson Card is the clear leader in this Texas Longhorns quarterback battle. If Hudson Card holds onto the job into week one against ULM, that should be a good sign that Hudson Card is living up to his potential as a high four-star quarterback and a top sixty recruit. That is not an indictment on Quinn Ewers or his potential.

If Quinn Ewers wins the job, he will have (so far) lived up to his billing as a generational recruit. Winning a quarterback battle against someone as talented as Card is incredibly impressive. Card’s experience in the offense also gives him an upper hand, only adding to how impressive it would be for Ewers to win the job in 2022.

Ewers winning the job will also pose an interesting question for Hudson Card. Card could choose to stay with Texas for a season as a backup and hope to regain the starting role, like Casey Thompson last season.

Hudson Card could also choose to leave in the transfer portal and join a new program for the 2022 season. However, the deadline to transfer and be immediately eligible for the 2022 season is May 1st. The only upside for Card to leave after the May 1st deadline would be to get acclimated at a new school and take a redshirt season.

The chance to start at Texas whether it be because of poor play or injury of Ewers, could still be Card’s best option for the 2022 season.

The Texas Longhorns quarterback battle is just getting started and we will continue to update Longhorn Nation with any news.

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