Introduction to Matthew Caldwell
With Arch Manning in concussion protocol, the Texas Longhorns may have to turn to backup quarterback Matthew Caldwell in their matchup with No. 9 Vanderbilt. As the team prepares for this crucial game, it’s essential to know more about their potential starting quarterback. Here are five things to know about Texas’ graduate transfer quarterback.
The Basics
Name: Matthew Caldwell
Born: May 23, 2003
Position: QB
Height: 6-4 Weight: 209
Class: Redshirt senior
Hometown: Auburn, Ala.
A Last-Minute Find
Caldwell found his way to Austin as Texas’ backup quarterback at the last minute. He entered the transfer portal out of Troy during the post-spring transfer window and didn’t commit to Texas until early May, landing with the Longhorns less than four months before the season started.
The graduate transfer completed his degree at Troy and is pursuing a graduate certificate in communication and leadership.
Game-Winner
With Texas looking to keep its playoff hopes alive, the Longhorns found themselves trailing Mississippi State 38-21 in the fourth quarter. While Arch Manning sparked a huge comeback and forced overtime, he left the game after taking a hard hit.
Caldwell stepped in and finished the comeback off with a beautiful 10-yard touchdown pass to Emmett Mosley V, which proved to be the game-winning score after Texas stopped Mississippi State on the next possession. Texas won the game 45-38 in overtime.
A Transfer Portal Regular
Caldwell’s transfer to Texas certainly wasn’t the first time he hit the transfer portal.
An unranked recruit out of high school, Caldwell landed at Jacksonville State for his first collegiate season in 2021. After that, he entered the transfer portal and landed at Gardner-Webb, where he spent two seasons. Following the 2023 season, he hit the portal again and landed at Troy. After one season at Troy and spending spring football with the Trojans, he entered the portal again and landed with the Longhorns.
Stability for the Longhorns
With Manning’s status up in the air ahead of Texas’ showdown with No. 9 Vanderbilt, Caldwell’s teammates and coaches said they were comfortable with their backup quarterback. See some of the things said about him by Texas teammates and coaches below.
“He’s very engaged, even when he doesn’t play,” Steve Sarkisian said. “If you ever watched our sidelines in-game, 18 is probably the most engaged player on that sideline.”
“He’s always locked in. He’s right there, ready to go in if anything happens. He’s got his helmet on, (listening) to all the play calls through his helmet,” receiver Parker Livingstone said. “He’s like playing out like a mini game on the sideline, what he would do, what he would do differently, what reads he would go through.”
“Matt is the most engaged person on the sideline during the game,” running back CJ Baxter said. “He comes off the field, going up to the o-line, you would think he’s playing. I think that’s why every time he does get in the game, we don’t miss a blink, we don’t miss a step because he’s so engaged in the game.“
Conclusion
In conclusion, Matthew Caldwell is a talented and experienced quarterback who has proven himself to be a valuable asset to the Texas Longhorns. With his ability to stay engaged and focused, even when he’s not playing, he has earned the respect and trust of his teammates and coaches. As the team prepares to face No. 9 Vanderbilt, they can be confident in Caldwell’s ability to lead them to victory.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who is Matthew Caldwell?
A: Matthew Caldwell is a graduate transfer quarterback for the Texas Longhorns.
Q: Where did Caldwell transfer from?
A: Caldwell transferred from Troy, where he spent one season after previously playing for Jacksonville State and Gardner-Webb.
Q: What is Caldwell’s height and weight?
A: Caldwell is 6-4 and weighs 209 pounds.
Q: What is Caldwell’s class and hometown?
A: Caldwell is a redshirt senior from Auburn, Ala.
Q: What is Caldwell’s role on the team?
A: Caldwell is the backup quarterback for the Texas Longhorns, but he may be called upon to start due to Arch Manning’s concussion protocol.
