HOUSTON — Rece Davis and Greg McElroy have seen enough of Texas.

And both ESPN sportscasters like what they’ve seen. A lot.

For 2024 and beyond.

“Texas is in my top three next year, so yeah. I have a ton of respect for the program, and they're in a great spot,” said McElroy, the former Alabama quarterback who helped deny the Longorns a national title in 2009. “I have tons of faith in Steve Sarkisian. And I'd be shocked, I mean, absolutely shocked if they’re not right back in a situation like they were in last week in the next year or two.”

Davis echoes his partner on GameDay and sees a very bright future for the Longhorns as they try to build upon their Big 12 championship and 12-2 record this season. He likes what Texas offers with a seasoned quarterback in Quinn Ewers, a strong nucleus in the offensive line, top running backs and playmakers on defense.

“I think Texas will be a preseason top five team if Quinn comes back,” Davis told me. “Georgia will probably be the preseason No. 1.”

More: Texas, minus defensive stars and wideouts, may be more rebuild than repeat in 2024 | Bohls

Davis, McElroy: Quinn Ewers would help himself by staying at Texas

Asked if Ewers should return to school for his third season as Texas quarterback, Davis said, “I do. I think it’d be very good for him, just gaining experience and more starts (he has 22) before he goes to the NFL. Comes back, puts up big numbers and gets even better in some areas. Who’s to say he won’t be Quarterback1 in the draft?”

With so many strong quarterbacks expected to go high in the NFL draft, Ewers might be doing himself a favor if he returns as a redshirt junior.

McElroy also thinks Ewers would be smart to come back for another college season.

“I said the same thing about (Florida’s) Anthony Richardson last year, and he ended up getting drafted No. 4 overall. But if you have the potential to go No. 1, why would you want to come out now and get drafted 18th or 25th when you could potentially get drafted No. 1, so yeah, I think he's still got work to do.

“But he had a great year. He made huge strides this year. And I'm really optimistic that strides can be taken next year as well as far as his decision-making.”

'I thought they'd win going in'

Davis watched the dreary second half of the Sugar Bowl in his car ride and the ending from the Delta Sky Club at the Los Angeles airport. He admits he had expected Texas to beat Washington.

“As great as the season was for them, I thought they’d win going in,” Davis said of the Longhorns. “I felt their defense would disrupt Washington’s offense.”

McElroy was discouraged by Texas’ performance in the Sugar Bowl but sees it as an anomaly.

“What was disappointing from a Texas perspective in the Sugar Bowl is that they just didn't play well,” McElroy said. “But I think they're really well positioned moving forward. I think to make the leap next year in the SEC, Sark has a great vision for where the program needs to go.

“Now are they going to be able to adequately replace the playmakers that made them special the last couple years? That's a big question, but I didn't think they'd be able to replace (tailbacks) Bijan Robinson or Roschon Johnson. Yeah, they did that pretty admirably. I even voted for Jonathan Brooks for the Doak Walker award.”

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Davis, McElroy both think Quinn Ewers should return for another year