Quinn Ewers stirred up some strong opinions this past weekend after declaring for the NFL Draft, a decision that shocked many given his journey in college football.
The former Texas quarterback had a stellar career in Austin, once ranked as the No. 1 QB in his recruiting class. Despite this, Ewers fell to the seventh round, picked 231st overall by the Miami Dolphins. While this might seem like a step back, there’s more to his story.
Ewers’ decision to leave Texas early raised eyebrows, especially considering he reportedly left millions on the table by not returning for another season or transferring to a program like Miami. Sources suggest he could have earned up to $8 million from a different school, possibly Notre Dame. His move, which some view as risky, has raised questions about whether he made the right call. However, according to NBC’s ProFootballTalk, Ewers isn’t planning to reverse course.
No Going Back: Ewers Sticks To NFL Draft Decision
Though some might expect him to reconsider, Ewers seems firm in his decision. He has no plans to return to college football, even with his remaining eligibility. NBC’s Mike Florio pointed out that challenging NCAA rules could be an option, but it wouldn’t be easy. Ewers would have to hire a lawyer to contest the rule that prevents players from regaining eligibility once they declare for the draft. While the rule could be seen as an antitrust violation, Florio suggests it wouldn’t be a “slam dunk” to overturn.
For Ewers, his college experience has been about more than just football stats. “I think it shows how mentally tough I am,” Ewers said, reflecting on the adversity he faced. “I enjoy going through adversity because I know I have a plan of attack. Anything that happened to me my last college years, I knew was only going to help me.”
As he prepares for his new chapter in Miami, Ewers will compete for a backup role behind Tua Tagovailoa. With Tua’s injury history, Ewers may still get a chance to shine, though he’ll have to prove himself in a new environment. It’s clear that Ewers isn’t looking back, even as his journey through college football becomes a distant memory.
