Pete Thamel reveals final hurdles Texas QB Quinn Ewers cleared to return for Red River Showdown

Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers was having one of the best seasons of any college quarterback in America when, in Week 3, an oblique injury flared up. And just like that, Ewers was on the shelf for a number of weeks.

With the injury not particularly severe, it was always a question of when, not if, Ewers would be back on the field for the top-ranked Longhorns. A return for Texas’ annual rivalry matchup with Oklahoma in Dallas seemed like a potential target, and Ewers managed to meet it, ticking the final few boxes on the checklist to return to play this week, ESPN’s Pete Thamel shared on “College Football Live” on Friday.

“The last step in his comeback, sources told me this week, was did he really really have the power in his midsection to drive the ball downfield?” Thamel said. “That was final test that he had to pass and I was told he passed it with flying colors this week.”

And given a backup quarterback situation that gave Texas some margin for error and space to let Ewers fully recover, it’s a safe bet that he’s quite close to full health. When Ewers is healthy, he’s been playing at an elite level this year.

In his limited sample this season, Ewers has been brilliant for the Longhorns. He’s completed 73.4% of his passes for eight touchdowns and two interceptions in fewer than three complete games, all with nearly 700 yards through the air.

It was a rare form that some may have memory-holed as the season progressed and Ewers watched in street clothes for about a month.

“Quinn Ewers was playing as well as any quarterback in the country,” Thamel said. “Went to the Big House, led Texas to an authoritative victory there. He had 14 of 16 completions against UTSA when that oblique injury flared up.”

And a fully operational Ewers will have a big stage to remind the country just how good he can be, Thamel reminded.

“So look for Quinn Ewers with the stage in Red River to make a climb back in the Heisman race,” Thamel said. “Maybe re-establish himself in that QB1 conversation. Some people have passed him because of the three games. And Quinn Ewers is back at full health and ready to let it rip.” 

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