Latest news with #QuinnEwers
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Paul Finebaum Drops Huge Endorsement on Texas Phenom Arch Manning
Paul Finebaum Drops Huge Endorsement on Texas Phenom Arch Manning originally appeared on Athlon Sports. College football analyst Paul Finebaum has ignited a firestorm of excitement among Texas Longhorns fans with a bold prediction about quarterback Arch Manning. Advertisement In a recent statement highlighted by Inside Texas on X, Finebaum declared, 'I think he's going to be the best quarterback at Texas since Colt McCoy.' The endorsement, paired with an image of Manning in a burnt orange shirt gripping a football, has sent ripples through the college football community as the young star continues to rise. Manning, a freshman sensation and scion of the legendary Manning family, has already shown flashes of brilliance. With 939 passing yards, 9 touchdowns, and a stellar 87.5 QBR, his stats speak volumes. Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning.© Brett Davis-Imagn Images His breakout performance against the UTSA Roadrunners—where he completed 9 of 12 passes, threw four touchdowns, and added a 67-yard rushing score—proved he's ready for the spotlight. Advertisement Finebaum's comparison to Colt McCoy, a Texas icon who led the Longhorns from 2006 to 2009 and ranks second all-time in FBS quarterback wins, sets a lofty benchmark for the young signal-caller. However, the statement has sparked debate. Some fans on X argue that Finebaum overlooks Quinn Ewers, who guided Texas to a 33-10 record over the last three seasons, including a 2023 Big 12 title and back-to-back College Football Playoff semifinals. Despite the skepticism, Manning's raw talent and pedigree suggest he could indeed redefine Texas football. As the Longhorns face tougher challenges ahead, all eyes will be on Manning to prove Finebaum right. Related: Former Longhorns Scottie Scheffler and Jordan Spieth Vying for Win in Same Tournament This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
NFL Draft Summer Scouting Report: Michael Taaffe, SAF, Texas
NFL Draft Summer Scouting Report: Michael Taaffe, SAF, Texas Summer is here, and it is everyone's favorite time of the year, scouting time. Every year, we do Summer Scouting to preview college football for Bucs fans, but also give them an idea of names to follow and watch in the fall as needs pop up for Tampa Bay. Are we going to write about quarterbacks? You know it, but why? Because other NFL teams will draft them, just as they will draft every other position. It all matters whether these players end up on the Bucs, the Bears, or the Steelers. We write these so Bucs fans can be the most informed fans. So if you are still with us, enjoy our latest Summer Scouting report as we prepare you for the Fall. Player Information Player: Michael Taaffe School: Texas Height/Weight: 6-0/195 lbs. Player Background - 0-Star Recruit - Second-Team All-State DB in High School - 5th Generation Texas Longhorn in his family - Intercepted Quinn Ewers in State Title Game in High School - Committed to Rice but decided to walk on to Texas Career Stats Heading into the 2025 Season - 152 tackles - 10 Tackles for Loss - 2 Sacks - 5 Interceptions Notable PFF Numbers Heading into the 2025 Season - 68.9 PFF Run Grade - 67.5 PFF Coverage Grade - 19% Missed Tackle Rate - 32 Defensive Stops - 10 Pass Breakups Player Traits - Good closing speed on ball carriers - Can make tackles in the open field - Fluid in change of direction due to hip and footwork ability - Excellent ball skills - Above average coverage ability Player Summary Another fun safety prospect in this class is Michael Taaffe. The Texas defensive back has shown he can be rangy, a playmaker, and a disruptor on a defense that arrived in the SEC with questions surrounding it. He helped them get acclimated quickly, and they showed they could play with the big boys, and Taafe was a major reason for that. He can be just as impactful in the pass game, as he is in the run, which makes him one of the better defenders in college football, no one is talking about.
Fox Sports
3 days ago
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Big Noon Saturday: Top storylines to watch for in four must-see matchups
You know college football season is just around the corner when kickoff dates are set. On Thursday, FOX Sports announced a couple of high-profile matchups that will appear in the "Big Noon Saturday" slot this season. Week 1 begins with the ultimate opening-weekend showdown between Texas and Ohio State, which will likely be a preseason top-five matchup at The Horseshoe. In Week 2, Iowa visits Iowa State in the annual Cy-Hawk Trophy rivalry on Sept. 6. In Week 3, defending Big Ten champion Oregon visits Northwestern on Sept. 13. And then, the final week of the regular season, "Big Noon Saturday" will be live from Ann Arbor for "The Game" between Michigan and Ohio State. The Buckeyes are the reigning national champions, but can they end the Wolverines' winning streak in this rivalry? Here is a look at what to watch for in those matchups: Week 1: Texas at Ohio State (Aug. 30 on FOX) After waiting patiently on the bench for two years, it's finally Arch Manning's turn to be the starting quarterback at Texas. He offers a different skill set from his predecessor, Quinn Ewers, which will inevitably open up the playbook for coach Steve Sarkisian. But while the Longhorns are set at QB, Ohio State is not. There's a battle brewing in Columbus between Julian Sayin and Lincoln Kienholz, while true freshman Tavien St. Clair is waiting in the wings. Don't be surprised if we don't know who comes out on top until these teams are running out of their respective tunnels on Aug. 30. Of course, there's plenty more intrigue surrounding this game. It's a Cotton Bowl rematch – the Buckeyes beat the Longhorns in the College Football Playoff semifinal in January to book their trip to the national championship, which they won. And while plenty of star players have moved on to the NFL from both teams, there are plenty of guys returning who played in that game. Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith and safety Caleb Downs are widely considered to be the best offensive and defensive players in the country this year. Texas enters this season having made consecutive CFP semifinals and is hungry to win its first national championship since Vince Young was in Austin. Sarkisian has the depth to do it, and beating Ohio State on the road to open the season would be a nice early résumé booster. Ohio State, meanwhile, might look different than it did a year ago, but Ryan Day still has a strong roster that could make a CFP run. Week 2: Iowa at Iowa State (Sept. 6 on FOX) Last year, Iowa State kicker Kyle Konrardy nailed a 54-yard field goal with five seconds left to lift his team to a 20-19 win over rival Iowa at Kinnick Stadium. So, it's safe to say that the Hawkeyes will be seeking revenge in this year's Cy-Hawk game. For the Cyclones, Rocco Becht is back at quarterback after a solid sophomore year. He completed 59% of his passes for 3,505 yards and 25 touchdowns with nine interceptions last season. He was rumored to be interested in transferring to Tennessee this offseason, but then publicly stated his commitment to the Cyclones. Becht helped lead the team to a historic 11-3 record which culminated in a trip to the Big 12 championship game – the program's second-ever appearance. Though they were embarrassed by Arizona State, 45-19, Matt Campbell's team responded a few weeks later by defeating then-No. 13 Miami, 42-41, in the Pop-Tarts Bowl. Becht was named MVP. Meanwhile, Iowa has a new QB this year in South Dakota State transfer Mark Gronowski, who comes to Iowa City as a two-time FCS national champion. He had shoulder surgery this offseason, but told reporters in April that he's recovering and expects to be "100 percent" and ready to go by June 1. Elsewhere on the roster, the Hawkeyes are working to reload after losing a chunk of starters from both sides of the ball. This includes replacing last year's Big Ten leading rusher, Kaleb Johnson (now with the Pittsburgh Steelers), who ran for 1,537 yards and 21 touchdowns in 2024. Keep an eye on sophomore Kamari Moulton to be that guy. Oregon at Northwestern (Sept. 13 on FOX) The most intriguing part of Oregon's team will be how quarterback Dante Moore progresses in his first year as the Ducks' starter. Moore, who transferred from UCLA ahead of last season, sat on the bench all of 2024 while learning under Heisman Trophy finalist Dillon Gabriel. It will help him to have various offensive weapons, including Florida State transfer receiver Malik Benson, which will soften the blow of losing Tez Johnson to the NFL. Oregon also has the fifth-best transfer class, according to 247 Sports. Quarterback is also one of the more interesting storylines for Northwestern with the arrival of SMU transfer Preston Stone. He was the Mustangs' starter to begin last season until he lost his job to Kevin Jennings, who led the program to the CFP. Stone stayed at SMU through the playoff, however, and brings that experience to a Wildcats' offense that struggled mightily last season, ranking 130 out of 134 teams. On the other side of the ball, Moore will have to keep an eye out for defensive end Aidan Hubbard, who has 13 sacks and 16.5 tackles for loss in three seasons. Ohio State at Michigan (Nov. 29 on FOX) Ohio State might have won the national championship last year, but they have also lost four straight years to archrival Michigan. And while there's a contingent of fans who are happy the Buckeyes won a title, there's another that won't be satisfied until they beat the Wolverines again. Last year was the year to do it – Michigan's roster was depleted after winning the national championship, while Ohio State had NFL-ready talent delay going pro just to come back to Columbus in order to win The Game and a national title. This year, the programs are more evenly matched and both will have new starting QBs. At Michigan, early signs point to No.1-ranked recruit Bryce Underwood. He will be coached by new offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey, who worked with Drake Maye at North Carolina. At Ohio State, all eyes are on Sayin and Kienholz, and their new OC, Brian Hartline. Both teams have to reload defensively, though both have bright spots in the secondary. Ohio State has Downs, while Michigan has Rod Moore, who returns after missing all of last season with a knee injury. Laken Litman covers college football, college basketball and soccer for FOX Sports. She previously wrote for Sports Illustrated, USA Today and The Indianapolis Star. She is the author of "Strong Like a Woman," published in spring 2022 to mark the 50th anniversary of Title IX. Follow her at @LakenLitman . [Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily .] recommended Get more from College Football Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
NFL QB sends strong message after losing NIL millions
When Quinn Ewers heard his name called with the 231st pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, critics didn't hesitate to pile on. He had reportedly turned down an $8 million NIL offer to transfer out of Texas. Instead, he opted for the NFL, where seventh-round picks aren't exactly showered with signing bonuses. But Ewers didn't flinch. And now, he's finding ways to flip the script. Advertisement The Miami Dolphins rookie quarterback just inked a $3 million exclusive trading card deal with Panini America, a move that immediately softens the blow of his rookie contract—worth $4.3 million over four years, with only $84,000 in base salary his first season. It's a reminder that the power of a name doesn't vanish after a player leaves college. 'Skipping my senior year to enroll at Ohio State early… then decide to go back to my home state of Texas, and really, turn around a program that hadn't really won anything in years, consistently—that's unconventional,' Ewers told On3. Unconventional is putting it lightly. After throwing for 9,218 yards and 68 touchdowns at Texas, Ewers left with a $4.5 million NIL valuation, and speculation swirled that Miami and Duke were among teams willing to offer him up to $4 million to transfer. Had he stayed, sources say his NIL payout could have reached $8 million in 2025. Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers (3) leaves the field after defeating the Clemson Tigers in the first round of the College Football Playoffs at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial E. Martinez/USA T But Ewers' focus wasn't on safe bets. It was legacy—and longevity. Advertisement Now, with a major endorsement in hand and more likely on the way, Ewers is showing young athletes that the leap to the NFL doesn't have to mean leaving money on the table. It just takes vision, strategy, and a brand worth betting on. Quinn Ewers is still making his name pay—even if it's not the way most expected. And as more college stars weigh the balance between NIL riches and NFL dreams, Ewers may become the blueprint for bouncing back. Related: Big Ten coach calls NIL spending 'insanity' — but sees opportunity Related: Jeremiah Smith's $4M NIL valuation continues to rise with new deal
New York Times
21-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Potential 2026 NFL Draft quarterback class — led by Arch Manning — looks loaded
The only league-wide consensus about the 2025 NFL Draft quarterback class was that next year's group should be better. Should be — not necessarily 'will be.' NIL payments and a much easier transfer process have ended the days of being able to predict a year out who will belong to an upcoming draft class. Even so, the amount of prospective blue-chip QB talent is much higher than it was a year ago at this time. Advertisement Things can of course change between now and the end of the college football season. For now, let's take a look the quarterbacks who will likely receive the bulk of NFL scouting attention once the season starts. They're sorted below by tiers: potential first-rounders (Tier 1), fringe Round 1/Day 2 prospects (Tier 2) and the best of the rest (Tier 3). (Editor's notes: 'EPA' stands for 'Expected Points Added'; passing stats via TruMedia) 6-foot-4, 225 pounds | 20 years old The biggest knock on Manning right now is his lack of experience. Just about everything else screams 'blue-chip QB prospect.' The Texas junior made just two starts and 10 appearances behind Quinn Ewers last season, but the glimpses of his game were terrific for a first-time contributor. Manning's start against Mississippi State (26-of-31 passing, 325 yards, two TDs, no interceptions) was elite and showed off why many scouts believe he'll be in the mix for the No. 1 pick, whenever he declares for the draft. His size, arm talent and movement skills are all ideal. More importantly, so is his process — Manning's footwork is consistent, incredibly calm and almost always in rhythm with the pass concept he's working. An excellent processor for his age, Manning shows poise against pressure and already has put several examples on film of being able to move beyond a second (or even third) read from the pocket. He's athletic enough to be a factor as a scrambler and passer on the run, but his natural calm in the pocket will be what separates him long term. The hype here feels very real. We just have to see more. 6-5, 235 | 21 years old Had Allar declared for the 2025 NFL Draft, he might have been the No. 1 pick. I don't want to discount Cam Ward as a prospect, but Allar's physical traits — at 6-5, 235 — are impossible to ignore. Nearly everything about his game improved last year, too, as Penn State allowed him more opportunities to push the ball deep. Allar is very comfortable driving the ball down the middle of the field, often into tight windows. And when his feet are on time, he can look elite. He's also flashed great off-platform velocity and can deliver from different arm slots. Consistency with his feet in the pocket remains an issue, though, as Allar plays with sloppy mechanics too often. He'll fade in the face of pressure and throw off his back foot or trust his arm to get him out of a jam — all of which lead to missed layups. Allar can also be indecisive in the pocket. He's shown an ability to process at a high level, but he can get stuck on reads, leading to late throws over the middle that get him in trouble. Advertisement Allar feels like a first-round prospect in next year's class. With more improvement on details, he could easily find himself in the top 10. 6-3, 242 | 19 years old Sellers made his debut as a full-time starter last season and at no point looked overwhelmed against high-level competition in the SEC. Generally an accurate thrower with a quick release and enough arm talent to drive the ball downfield, Sellers showed above-average footwork for a QB his age. His consistency in the dropback game was hit or miss, but the flashes were outstanding. He's also a tank on wheels and really hard to tackle. He runs in the open field like a bigger, albeit not-quite-as-fast version of Jayden Daniels. Sellers needs to be more decisive from the pocket while finding better consistency with his footwork and throwing process. He fumbled too much last year (13 times) and found trouble when he got stuck on his first or second read. Plenty of that stuff can be ironed out with more experience, though, and Sellers' physical traits are first-round — and potentially top-10 — worthy. 6-5, 225 | 21 years old A big, sturdy prospect with outstanding arm talent and enough athleticism to navigate against pressure in the pocket, Mendoza will team up with Indiana's Curt Cignetti this season after a year-plus as Justin Wilcox's starter at Cal. It's fair to expect an uptick in downfield shots, both inside and outside the numbers — plenty of the damage Mendoza created within Cal's offense came on short, quick stuff. Still, when he's been asked to operate from the pocket on a deeper drop, he's flashed explosive arm talent and an ability to make every throw. Mendoza can be guilty of holding the ball too long in the pocket. His drop rhythm also has to be more consistent, and he needs to avoid throwing while flat-footed. But if Cignetti can do for Mendoza what he did for Kurtis Rourke, the former could be an easy first-round prospect and might even push into the top half of Round 1. Advertisement 6-2, 200 | 23 years old The official gunslinger of this group. Nussmeier can't match the size of some of the other prospective 2026 QB prospects, but his arm talent — from the pocket, off-platform, from any arm slot — is the real deal. A perfect fit for LSU's aggressive pass offense, Nussmeier has been fearless throwing over the middle and has never seen a vertical route he doesn't like. He's also a comfortable thrower who can improvise on the run and a twitchy athlete who doesn't lose velocity, no matter his base. There are times his aggressiveness can get him into trouble — some of his off-platform attempts aren't necessary, as he plays with inconsistent feet in his drop and throwing process. He needs to be a more decisive passer from the pocket and work to avoid making unnecessary risks, because he's not big enough to play on the move as much as he prefers. Same time, Nussmeier never gives up on a play. The son of longtime college and NFL assistant Doug Nussmeier, Garrett has some J.J. McCarthy in him. There's enough in his game for teams to consider him in Round 1. 6-2, 210 | 21 years old A dynamic athlete with a quick trigger and a great deep ball, Klubnik enjoyed a breakout 2024 season in Clemson's Air Raid attack, throwing for 36 touchdowns to six interceptions while becoming a serious run threat for the first time in his college career. An explosive scrambler who can cut on a dime and force missed tackles in space, Klubnik is a legit dual-threat passer, even at his modest size. Klubnik had a whopping 16 completions of 30 or more air yards last season and has shown an ability to layer the ball between levels downfield. Klubnik's flashes are pretty outstanding. On the other hand, he is not the sharpest processor from the pocket, often working only one side of the field before looking to run. He needs to show more consistent feet and a better feel for staying in the pocket, with or without pressure. Like Nussmeier, his size isn't ideal, but his full profile — assuming he improves this season — could be more than enough to make him a possible first-rounder. Advertisement 6-2, 200 | 20 years old A first-year starter at Arizona State last year after transferring from Michigan State, Leavitt has an above-average feel for a passer his age. He plays tall, with generally solid footwork, and isn't afraid to step up and drive the ball against pressure. A good athlete with enough speed and agility to be a solid scrambler, Leavitt is hard to sack and can launch a beautiful deep ball when his base is stable. Other quarterbacks in this class have better arm talent, and Leavitt's accuracy and velocity can be impacted if he abandons his technique. There are too many examples of missed layups on his tape, so he also needs to develop more strength if he's going to run as much as he does. Fundamentally, though, he plays older than his experience level, including with his ball handling in the run and play-action games. Leavitt still has plenty of time in college, but a great 2025 could launch him toward a first-round grade. 6-1, 220 | Age: 21 Mateer was one of this offseason's biggest transfers after throwing for more than 3,000 yards and putting up a combined 44 touchdowns (29 passing, 15 rushing) last season as a first-year starter at Washington State. A thick, powerful runner with good speed and vision, Mateer is capable of running over or away from some defensive backs — he's a legit dual-threat option. He's also an aggressive passer who will throw from some pretty crazy arm slots. Mateer has flashed good footwork and rhythm from the pocket while maintaining velocity from any arm angle. He has to be careful to maintain sound technique with all his improvisational skills and, more than anything, has to show stronger processing from the pocket — he fades away, throws from flat feet, and aims and stares down early reads too often. Physically, though, Mateer is a very interesting player. Not unlike Ward, the guy he replaced at Washington State, he has the tools to make a big jump. Advertisement 6-4, 220 | Age: 22 Beck has had a long journey. Despite the step back he took last season, though, he's still a solid prospect. His best work came in 2023 at Georgia, with Brock Bowers and much more refined offensive talent around him. He's an accurate passer who isn't afraid to test the middle of the field, so long as he's working from a clean pocket. Beck's quick processing and release are what helped him throw for nearly 8,000 yards in two years as Georgia's starter. When he's pressured or forced to improvise, though, issues pop up. He is limited athletically, just as his ceiling will be if he can't develop better consistency against pressure. 6-6, 215 | 20 years old The drama surrounding Iamaleava's exit from Tennessee will be stuck in scouts' minds until he gives them enough reasons to forget it. That said, Iamaleava showed plenty of arm talent and downfield playmaking ability as a tall passer with quick feet and an over-the-top release. He needs to get stronger, but many see Justin Herbert in parts of Iamaleava's game at this stage. He has to prove he can operate in an offense that's more translatable to what he'll see in the NFL, but there's plenty to be intrigued about here. 6-6, 230 | 22 years old A gigantic passer and a capable runner — both through or around defenders — Green was a two-year starter at Boise State before joining Sam Pittman and Bobby Petrino at Arkansas last season and producing his best year to date. Green showed good pace and relatively consistent feet with his pocket drops last season and did plenty of damage throwing on the run outside the pocket. He's athletic and strong enough to escape and improvise, but he has to improve against pressure. His accuracy fades beyond 30 yards, too, although Green was 23-of-43 on throws of between 20 and 29 air yards last season. Others to watch: Aidan Chiles, Michigan State; Miller Moss, Louisville; Dante Moore, Oregon; Mark Gronowski, Iowa; Conner Weigman, Houston; Kevin Jennings, SMU; Jackson Arnold, Auburn (Top photos of LaNorris Sellers and Arch Manning: Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images; Scott Wachter / Imagn Images)
