Is Texas big enough for two five-star quarterbacks?
That's the question now after Arch Manning, the No. 1 player in the class of 2023, committed to Texas on Thursday. The Longhorns, of course, already have Quinn Ewers, the No. 1 player in the class of 2021, on the roster.
With the transfer portal becoming an increasingly popular destination for quarterbacks, will it be possible for Texas to keep both QBs into next season and beyond? In other words, what happens to Ewers now?
MANNING TO TEXAS: Winners and losers as No. 1 player comes off the board
Who is Quinn Ewers?
Ewers was a five-star recruit from Texas powerhouse Southlake Carroll. He had a 0.9999 rating on 247Sports.com's ratings and was the No. 1 recruit in the class of 2022. The only other quarterback with a rating that high up to that point was Clemson's Trevor Lawrence.
Ewers, however, reclassified to the 2021 class to take advantage of Name, Image and Likeness opportunities. Ewers enrolled at Ohio State before fall camp.
Ewers transferred to Texas
Ewers only played in one game for the Buckeyes last season, handing off twice with the game in hand. After the season, Ewers returned home to Texas.
Ewers and returning quarterback Hudson Card are battling for the starting job in 2022. Card and Ewers both had their moments in the spring game, and the winner will be in command of an offense that features playmakers in running back Bijan Robinson and wide receiver Xavier Worthy. The Longhorns have the potential to have a 40-points-per-game offense with the right quarterback at the controls if the offensive line improves.
MORE: How recent No. 1-ranked QBs have fared in college
Ewers helped recruit Manning
The front-runners to land Manning were Georgia, Texas and Alabama. Manning took his official visit to all three schools this summer, with Texas being his last trip on June 18. Ewers and Manning were reportedly joined at the hip for a good portion of the visit.
Now, Ewers and Manning, who had a perfect 1.0000 rating according to 247Sports.com, will be on the same roster in 2023.
Can they make that work?
What is the best-case scenario for Ewers?
It is difficult to make any real value judgment on Ewers knowing he has not started in a college game yet. He needs to win the starting job first, and the prove-it games come in the first half of the season.
Texas hosts Alabama on Sep. 10 in a Big Noon Kickoff game that is one of the must-see matchups of September. Of course, the Red River Rivalry opens a new chapter on Oct. 8. How Ewers performs in those games will be a barometer of what's to come once Manning arrives on campus.
If Ewers is as advertised, then Texas could theoretically get two years of him as the starter while Manning eases in as a freshman. After all, it's worth knowing that Peyton is the only Manning who started as a freshman, and that wasn't until after the first month of the season.
MORE: How Peyton, Eli and Archie fared early in their college careers
Will Texas fans be that patient with Manning on campus? It depends on Ewers' play on the field in 2022. Spring football in Austin in 2023 could be very, very interesting.
Will Ewers transfer again?
That possibility also exists. More than 20 Power 5 programs could have a transfer starter this season, and Ewers always could opt for a second transfer.
Players are technically only allowed a one-time transfer with immediate eligibility, but there seems to be some doubt that the NCAA will enforce that if players apply for waivers. A rough season this fall and a strong spring by Manning would likely send Ewers back into the portal looking for another starting opportunity.