Don’t waste much time looking for some hidden meaning Saturday if Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers does or does not participate in senior day activities.

It just doesn’t matter, because in the end, Ewers could return to the Longhorns next season if he wants. Or, the junior could go pro, as many thought he would.

Anyone paying attention knows the Southlake native doesn’t need money. He’s all over the place with NIL deals. His NFL draft stock, however, hasn’t kept up appearances.

Asked this week if Saturday would be his last home game, Ewers said, “Who knows? I'm just trying to win, trying to win this week.”

Sorry, Arch Manning fans. Until you hear something official from Ewers, the internet speculation is just that. Until then, enjoy his new Dick’s Sporting Goods ads and watch to see whether No. 3 Texas (9-1, 5-1 SEC) can keep the train rolling against Kentucky (4-6, 1-6).

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Look at Jahdae Barron. The diverse defensive back went through senior day festivities last season, confident he was going pro. Then, Barron got his grades back from the NFL advisory committee and, correctly, stayed in school.

Barron is now poised to win the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation’s best defensive back. On Friday, he was named a finalist for the Bronco Nagurski Trophy, presented annually to the nation’s best defensive player by the Football Writers Association of America.

Texas coach Steve Sarkisian welcomed Barron back with open arms.

“You know, I like standing beside Sark,” Barron said. “I know he’s going to fight for me and put us the in the position to be the best we can.”

Barron will be among the dozen or so Longhorn seniors who deserve to cheered like crazy. Barron, Alfred Collins, David Gbenda and Gunnar Helm are all along the group that stayed through a coaching change and help lift the program back to national relevance.

This time Barron is leaving UT. "I'm going to drop some real gangster tears," he said. 

Just because an underclassman runs out onto the field during senior day, takes photos with his family and waives to the crowd doesn’t mean he’s done playing.

Asked if Ewers was playing his final home game Saturday, Sarkisian said, “No idea.”

Texas QB Quinn Ewers remains in full command despite some Longhorns fans calling for backup Arch Manning

Ewers’ numbers may be down a little this season, but ‘I mean, we’re 9-1. I’m pretty excited about that.’

Sarkisian wasn’t trying to send any sort of message, as the out-of-town, out-of-touch aggregating bloggers wrote. He just wasn’t answering the question at all. That’s Sarkisian’s polite way of saying “next question” and moving on without really entertaining the topic.

Sarkisian didn’t want to waste time opening the quarterback can of worms with Texas so close to a berth in the SEC championship game and the College Football Playoffs.

To be clear, the plan inside the football building was for Ewers to play out his junior season in 2024, win a championship and move on to the NFL. Manning would then be the clear-cut UT starter in 2025.

But Ewers missed 2 1/2 games with a strained oblique injury in September and hasn’t shown exceptional touch on deep throws. The Horns have faced defensive fronts with three safeties; teams refuse to get beat over the top. Ewers’ best skill is short to medium throws.

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NFL personnel are going to wonder if Ewers is nothing more than the dreaded “game manager,” a title bestowed on those who move the chains but can’t be the next Tom Brady.

Ewers is ranked 23rd in season passing grades among SEC quarterbacks, according to Pro Football Focus’ grading system. Manning ranks sixth but hasn’t played since the 2 1/2 games Ewers missed and a spot appearance in the first half against Georgia.

Sarkisian will let this season play out, good or bad, with Ewers. Then, the two will probably have some hard conversations.

Would Manning be OK with waiting his turn another year? Would Manning hit the transfer portal? Who knows? Would Ewers leave — transferring somewhere else and not going pro — knowing that Texas fans want Manning to take the reins? 

The coach offered a strong defense of his starter on Thursday and took a rare shot at Ewers’ detractors.

“I tell this to all Longhorn Nation. Like, we’re 9-1 for the second year in a row,” Sarkisian said Thursday. “We’re competing for a conference championship for the second year in a row. We’re competing for a spot in the College Football Playoff for the second year in a row.

“Don’t forget what the last decade looked like, OK? Let’s just remember how good we got it right now and appreciate this team of how good they're playing right now.”

So if Ewers participates in senior day, celebrate him, Texas fans. But it doesn’t guarantee that Saturday will be his final home game.