As former Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers gears up for the 2025 NFL Draft, he’s looking back at a decision that changed the trajectory of his career before he ever took a college snap. In an interview with Jon Gruden, Ewers opened up about why he skipped his senior year of high school to enroll early at Ohio State. Turns out, it wasn’t just about football.
“I had a $1.4 million memorabilia deal in front of me. I wasn’t gonna pass it up… I guess that’s what comes from being the number one prospect,” Ewers admitted.
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At the time, Ewers was the top-ranked quarterback in the 2021 class, originally committing to Texas before flipping to Ohio State in a highly publicized move. After a year in Columbus, he transferred back to Texas, where he finally got the chance to take over as the Longhorns’ starter and develop into an NFL-caliber passer.
Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers (3) after the 28-14 loss to Ohio State in the College Football Playoff semifinal game.Aaron E. Martinez/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
In his final season at Texas, Ewers put up impressive numbers, throwing for 3,218 yards, 27 touchdowns, and six interceptions, with a 69.5% completion rate. He led Texas to a College Football Playoff appearance, proving his ability to operate under pressure and make big-time throws when it mattered most.
Now, as he prepares to hear his name called on draft night, Ewers finds himself in an interesting position. Some believe he’s a first-round lock, while others think he could slide into Day two. Regardless of where he lands, it’s clear he’s been making business-like moves since before he ever played a college down, and now, he’s ready to let his game do the talking at the next level.
Related: Quinn Ewers Announces Major Career Decision Ahead of NFL Draft
