I know I am somewhat biased when it comes to Card. I coached him for a few years in 7s and my kid lined up next to him in the backfield. That said, my loyalty to Texas overrides any personal feelings once a LT kid enrolls at UT. I havent spoken to Hudson since he arrived at UT. I honestly dont know what happened last year. All I can say is that is NOT the QB we saw for 3 years at LT against the highest level competition in TX High School. He played in the 6A state championship game against Allen and then back to back semifinals against North Shore. He didnt bat an eye to pressure from any of those defenses and he used his legs very efficiently. Kid runs a 4.6 and put up a 3.99 5-10-5. He excelled at attacking the middle of the field with the deep ball. I cant count how many times he hit Garrett Wilson or one of our other WRs on deep posts or Go routes. i think he posted the highest velocity on his throws at the Elite 11, NFL scouts were comparing him to Aaron Rodgers 18 months ago, and Sam called him the Natural. His ceiling is a multi-year college starter and 1st round draft pick. At LT, he was confident and poised and always a fighter. He never backed down from a challenge nor did he ever spit the bit. he was a gamer through and through.
All of the above makes what we saw last year puzzling. Im not sure if he was coached to be careful and he took it took it to the extreme and tried to be perfect? I really dont know. But running to the sideline or not wanting to run down the field or not wanting to throw the ball down the field is absolutely opposite of the QB he was in HS. Being hesitant and indecisive are also very different than how he was at LT. It could be that he took Sark's coaching too seriously or literally. It could be the stage was too big for him last year. I really dont know and I wont make excuses for him. I just know that I believe he can be SO much better than that and want to see him succeed whether it is here or some other place. But he is going to have to do it - whether its overcoming himself or the coaches or both. If he can't do whatever it is that he needs to do to be successful, then he never will convert all the potential he has into a reality.
I expect Ewers to start. I dont think you go get a QB like him and not start him. I will be surprised if Hudson starts. That said, I want a true competition between the two and then start the one who wins it. I just want Texas to win again. I believe we can with either Quinn or Hudson and think we will probably need both of them to play this year regardless of who wins the job. I also want Sark to pick one and ride that one all the way through the season. QB is such a position of confidence and momentum. Pick a starter based on who wins the competition and then stick with that QB unless they get hurt.