Ad Disclosure
Joel Klatt says Quinn Ewers will be on a ‘short leash’ vs. Clemson in CFP game
By Crissy Froyd
Published:
Joel Klatt is one of many analysts who does not have an incredibly positive projection for Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers as the team prepares to face the Clemson Tigers in the first round of the College Football Playoff.
Ewers started off the season as one of the top quarterbacks in the country, with some ranking him as the best at the position.
Now, some people think the Texas offense is actually more energized and operates at a higher level when it is Arch Manning at the helm and not Ewers. Klatt says it sounds a little “hyperbolic,” but it is also something he is not in denial of.
“I do think it’s the case,” Klatt said this week. “Because when Ewers doesn’t have mobility and he hasn’t had it … with the ankle injury, he can’t scamper for first downs. There is an immense amount of pressure on (head coach) Steve Sarkisian to scheme guys open. We’ve seen that against Georgia, both times that they’ve played them. Georgia is fast enough and well-coached enough to take that away.”
It’s because of this and the way Ewers is unable to utilize his full potential that we could end up seeing him head to the bench if things go awry early in such an important game. Sarkisian will have some difficult things to manage on his hands in this one without a doubt.
“I do think Quinn is going to have a short leash,” Klatt added. “I think of Tua with Jalen Hurts and I think this is it. You’ve got to win this game to move on. There’s no other game after this. So how quick is leash if Quinn is not playing well? If he’s not seeing it? Like that first outing against Georgia. Will we see Arch Manning? Possibly. And I actually think they’re a more dynamic offense [with Manning].”
Texas and Clemson will kick off at 4 p.m. ET on Saturday afternoon in Austin.
Crissy covers SEC football news for Saturday Down South.
