Quinn Ewers Declares for NFL Draft: A Closer Look at the Journey of Texas QB

In early January 2025, Quinn Ewers made the momentous decision to declare for the NFL Draft, forgoing his final year of eligibility at the University of Texas. This decision marks a pivotal moment in his career, one filled with high expectations, early success, and challenging moments. Ewers, who arrived at Texas with a tremendous amount of hype as one of the top quarterback prospects in the nation, now finds himself poised to take the next step into the professional ranks, leaving behind the college football world that helped shape his path.

This decision is not just a reflection of Ewers’ individual journey, but also a fascinating intersection of ambition, talent, and the evolving nature of college football. His time at Texas was marked by ups and downs, but also moments of brilliance that showcased his potential as one of the top quarterbacks in the nation. As he moves forward to the NFL Draft, the question remains: what is next for Quinn Ewers?

A Star in the Making: Ewers’ High School Career

Quinn Ewers’ journey to the NFL was not a typical one. Hailing from Southlake, Texas, Ewers was a five-star recruit out of high school, widely regarded as one of the top quarterbacks in the nation. As a senior at Southlake Carroll High School, Ewers threw for over 4,000 yards and 45 touchdowns, leading his team to the state semifinals. His combination of arm strength, mobility, and poise in the pocket made him a standout talent and one of the most coveted quarterbacks in recent memory.

Ewers’ high school performance earned him a spot in the prestigious All-American Bowl, and his status as the number-one quarterback recruit in the 2022 class was further solidified. At the time, many analysts pegged him as a future No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft. This rare combination of hype and expectation made his college decision one of the most watched storylines in recruiting.

In choosing to attend the University of Texas, Ewers joined a long legacy of high-profile quarterbacks who had played for the Longhorns, from Vince Young to Colt McCoy. He arrived in Austin with immense pressure on his shoulders to quickly become the face of the program and help restore Texas to its former glory.

The Move to Ohio State and the Unconventional Start

However, Ewers’ path to Texas was not as straightforward as many anticipated. After committing to the Longhorns, Ewers made an unexpected decision to reclassify and graduate high school early. He enrolled at Ohio State University in 2021, bypassing his senior year of high school altogether to join the Buckeyes and their storied football program.

Ewers spent one season in Columbus but saw limited playing time behind Heisman Trophy contender CJ Stroud. His year at Ohio State, while valuable in terms of exposure to a high-caliber program, was mostly spent on the bench as he watched Stroud lead the Buckeyes to the College Football Playoff. While Ewers showed glimpses of his potential in practice, he did not get the opportunity to showcase his skills in live game situations.

Ewers’ decision to leave Ohio State after one season was influenced by several factors. First and foremost, it became clear that Stroud was entrenched as the starter, making it unlikely that Ewers would see significant playing time in the near future. Additionally, the evolving NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) landscape allowed Ewers the flexibility to consider his options, and the chance to return to Texas — where he had originally committed — became a reality.

Ewers entered the transfer portal and was quickly recruited by Steve Sarkisian and the Texas Longhorns. The decision to transfer back to Texas set the stage for his next chapter in his college career, where he would face high expectations from fans, analysts, and scouts alike.

The Texas Debut: Hitting the Ground Running

In 2022, Quinn Ewers made his much-anticipated debut for the Texas Longhorns. His arrival in Austin was heralded as the beginning of a new era for the program, which had struggled to find consistency at the quarterback position since the days of Colt McCoy. Ewers’ arm strength, athleticism, and natural talent brought optimism back to Texas football, and many believed he could be the player to lead the Longhorns back to national prominence.

Ewers’ first season at Texas had its ups and downs, as is often the case for young quarterbacks learning the intricacies of college football. He started strong, showcasing his impressive deep ball and ability to make all the throws that NFL scouts covet. However, injuries and inconsistencies plagued his year, and Texas finished with a record that fell short of the expectations that had been set.

Despite these setbacks, Ewers demonstrated flashes of brilliance. In particular, his performance in a dramatic win over Oklahoma State was a highlight of his freshman campaign. He showcased poise under pressure and displayed a maturity beyond his years, which reinforced his potential as a future NFL quarterback.

Ewers also showed significant improvement in his second season at Texas, becoming more comfortable in Steve Sarkisian’s offense. In 2023, Ewers was one of the top quarterbacks in the Big 12, leading Texas to a 10-2 regular-season record and a spot in the conference championship game. He continued to demonstrate his ability to make impressive throws downfield while improving his decision-making and efficiency.

But, despite his growing maturity as a player, the Texas program still experienced a number of growing pains under Sarkisian. Ewers struggled with consistency at times, and the Longhorns’ bid for a College Football Playoff spot fell short. Even so, Ewers’ draft stock remained high, with analysts projecting him as a potential first-round pick.

Ewers’ Decision to Declare: Timing and Implications

In January 2025, Quinn Ewers made the decision to forgo his final year of eligibility and declare for the NFL Draft. This decision was a turning point in his career, one that had been filled with high expectations and pressure since his high school days.

Several factors likely played a role in Ewers’ decision to enter the NFL Draft. First and foremost, Ewers’ ability to enter the NFL after three years of college football aligns with his long-term career goals. The NFL is a league that prioritizes quarterbacks with big arms, mobility, and potential, all of which are areas where Ewers excels. His decision to declare now ensures that he will enter the draft as one of the top quarterback prospects of 2025, with a shot at being selected high in the first round.

There is also the matter of financial opportunity. Ewers is projected to be a high draft pick, which would guarantee him a lucrative contract and endorsement deals. With NIL deals being a significant part of the college football landscape, some might argue that Ewers could have made more money by staying at Texas for another year. However, the opportunity to enter the NFL sooner, potentially starting his professional career in a few months, is a decision that many young quarterbacks make. The long-term financial gains from a successful NFL career outweigh the short-term earnings he could have garnered through NIL deals.

Additionally, Ewers’ decision to leave Texas may also be informed by the growing belief that his ceiling is higher in the NFL than in college football. Despite flashes of brilliance, Ewers’ college career was not without its growing pains. The experience of playing in the Big 12, and at Texas, presented a host of challenges that he may feel he has conquered. Moving to the NFL allows him to face stiffer competition and test his abilities on the biggest stage of all. Ewers’ journey to the NFL has always been about maximizing his potential, and declaring for the draft represents his next step in that pursuit.

What’s Next for Ewers?

As Quinn Ewers prepares for the NFL Draft, he faces the next stage of his football journey. With his raw talent and potential, Ewers will likely be highly sought after by NFL teams looking to secure their next franchise quarterback. The 2025 quarterback class is expected to feature several top prospects, and Ewers is among the most intriguing of them all.

NFL teams that need a quarterback will likely look at Ewers as a player with immense upside. His arm strength, mobility, and ability to make all the necessary throws are qualities that NFL scouts salivate over. His decision-making and consistency will be areas to monitor closely as he prepares for the combine and draft workouts, but there is little doubt that he has the physical tools to succeed at the next level.

For Ewers, the next few months will be a whirlwind of draft evaluations, interviews, and preparation. But once the NFL Draft arrives, the focus will shift to which team will select him and how soon he will be expected to start. If all goes well, Ewers could be stepping onto an NFL field as a starter as soon as the 2025 season.