Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian refused to allow rumors of an open quarterback battle between incumbent Quinn Ewers and high-profile backup Arch Manning to fester. He named Ewers the starter at his National Signing Day press conference Wednesday morning.

Ewers, a former No.1-overall recruit in his own right, had his best college season in 2023, leading Texas to its first ever College Football Playoff berth and the first Big 12 Championship since 2009. He upped his completion percentage from 58.1 as a redshirt freshman to 69 as a sophomore, tossing for 3,479 yards with 22 touchdowns and six interceptions. 

While he had the opportunity to declare for the NFL Draft and wedge himself into a crowded quarterback class, Ewers chose to return to Austin in 2024.

"I don't think Quinn was a finished product yet," Sarkisian said. "I think there's plenty of room for growth and improvement and development in his game going into year three."

Despite finishing second in the Big 12 behind Oklahoma's Dillon Gabriel in nearly every major passing category, the college football world wondered if Texas would hold an open quarterback competition between Ewers and Manning. That tracks in today's landscape - Gabriel transferred to Oregon to make way for another five-star freshman in Jackson Arnold. Sarkisian assured that wouldn't be the case.

Sarkisian said Texas will need Manning next year, even if he's not the starter. Of note, Ewers missed two games in 2023 with a Grade 2 AC joint sprain and significant time as a redshirt freshman with a clavicle sprain. 

"I think Arch has got an extremely bright future," Sarkisian said. "We're very fortunate to have him on our roster. He's got great leadership skills, a great skill set, and so (Ewers and Manning) are going to be big for us next year." 

Texas begins spring practice on March 19. The Orange-White Spring Game is set for April 20 at 1 p.m.