Paul Finebaum compares potential Quinn Ewers/Arch Manning situation to Jalen Hurts

Texas and Steve Sarkisian could have an interesting situation on their hands come the 2023 season. Two Five-Star Plus+ quarterbacks are expected to be on campus, with Quinn Ewers currently competing for the starting spot, while Arch Manning is committed but entering his senior year in high school.

Manning will seemingly arrive on campus before spring practice and potentially battle for the starting role. The youngster’s camp could be willing to let him develop for a year but being a competitor, Manning will want to hit the ground running in Austin. This led to a question on The Paul Finebaum Show from a caller, asking if Ewers would transfer if Manning won the job.

Finebaum went on to give his take on the potential issue, saying it’s “rare” to see two talented quarterbacks stick it out and stay within the same program. He “wouldn’t blame” Ewers for transferring out once Manning got on campus and potentially won the starting job, comparing the situation to Jalen Hurts at Alabama after Tua Tagovailoa emerged.

“I think that’s easy to predict,” Finebaum said. “I have rarely seen situations where one didn’t go and that’s understandable, I wouldn’t blame him for that. We all saw Jalen Hurts nearly lead Alabama to a national championship and then lose his position.”

Hurts wound up spending one more season in Tuscaloosa, getting playing time whenever blowouts were occurring. He eventually entered the transfer portal and played one year for the Oklahoma Sooners under head coach Lincoln Riley.

Ewers is currently facing off against Hudson Card for this year’s starting job. Sarkisian will announce the winner before the season opener against Louisiana-Monroe, potentially giving Ewers a head start against Manning.

Finebaum on how NIL deal could affect Quinn Ewers transferring

A huge question when it comes to NIL deals is how they could impact a player entering the transfer portal. Being a quarterback for the Texas Longhorns, there is no doubt Ewers has struck a couple of deals himself.

Finebaum commented on how that would impact a potential transfer out of Texas but was not definitive. He said everything depends on the contract he signs.

“I’m not a professor of contract law but I will tell you, it depends what’s written in the contract,” said Finebaum. “If it stipulates, specifically, that he is earning that money at UT, then… is there an out clause? I don’t know. But it’s a good question.”

More on potential Texas quarterback battle, Steve Sarkisian

If there is anybody who can handle a crowded quarterback room, it’s Sarkisian. During his time at Alabama, he had Hurts, Tagovailoa, and Mac Jones on his depth chart. He will be able to get the most out of Ewers and Manning, no matter who is considered the starter.

From Manning‘s perspective, you would have to assume Sarkisian was honest about Ewers joining the program in the summer as well. It will be a difficult task to navigate for the head coach and will be interesting to see how it plays out this time next year.