Once projected as a potential early-round pick, former Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers found himself waiting far longer than expected during the 2025 NFL Draft.
Instead of hearing his name called on Day 1 or even Day 2, Ewers slipped all the way to the seventh round – where the Miami Dolphins finally selected him in one of the draft’s final moments.
Now officially part of the Dolphins’ quarterback room, Ewers recently spoke with ESPN about the emotional rollercoaster he experienced throughout the draft process.
“I just didn’t know what was going on,” Ewers said. “But, I mean, it was nice [to get drafted], because at one point I’m like, ‘I’m not even going to get drafted. I’m going to go undrafted.'”
The former Longhorn star had one more year of college eligibility remaining and could have transferred to another school for a lucrative NIL deal.
Instead, he chose to take the leap into the pros – a decision that came with far more uncertainty than he anticipated.
“It was very unexpected, and I think that the toughest part about it is just the amount of unexpected occurrences there were,” he added. “But I’m glad that I ended up where I ended up. To go as late as I did, I’m glad it’s a good spot.”
While much of the attention during the draft was focused on Shedeur Sanders’ dramatic fall to the fifth round, Ewers’ own drop was equally surprising to many analysts, especially given his track record at Texas.
Ewers will now join a Dolphins team that features Tua Tagovailoa at quarterback – a player with a well-documented history of injuries.
That could present Ewers with an early opportunity to prove himself, should the depth chart shuffle due to health or performance.
Despite the late selection, expectations remain high for the former five-star recruit.
In fact, former NFL head coach Jay Gruden and ex-Texas and NFL quarterback Colt McCoy broke down Ewers’ potential on the Clean Pocket podcast just two weeks before the draft.
“He beat out Arch Manning for God’s sake. Two years in a row. That’s impressive. He’s very successful, very accurate, manages the game pretty damned good. (Had a) good coach, very productive kid, competitor. Gotta love him. You know who else was tough and very productive in college? Brock Purdy, right?” Gruden said.
McCoy, who has followed Ewers closely since his high school days, highlighted the young quarterback’s sharp timing and ability to stay in rhythm.
“I think his anticipation … the quick slants, bubbles, quick out routes, stick routes – he is very accurate. He’s on time. He’s in rhythm,” McCoy said.
“Some of those things are beautiful. The pressure, the expectation, holding off Arch Manning for two years … and they’ve won. The dude can play. He puts the ball on the money.”
Whether Ewers eventually becomes Miami’s long-term starter or serves as a reliable backup, his draft position won’t define his ceiling.
The real test begins now, as he works to earn his place – and possibly rewrite his draft story – on the field.
What are your thoughts on the shocking draft fall for Ewers? … Do you think he will end up proving all of the doubters wrong???
