As Texas approaches its pivotal playoff opener against Clemson in the first-ever 12-team College Football Playoff, quarterback Quinn Ewers finds himself at the center of swirling speculation about his future.
The 21-year-old Longhorn, once heralded as a potential top-10 NFL Draft pick, now faces questions about whether he should enter the draft, return to Texas, or seek a fresh start via the transfer portal.
The 2024 season saw Ewers locked in a highly publicized quarterback battle with heralded freshman Arch Manning.
While Ewers ultimately secured the starting role, moments of inconsistency and Manning’s brief ascension have reignited debate over the Longhorns’ quarterback hierarchy.
ESPN NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. weighed in on the situation, offering a surprising suggestion for Ewers.
“Arch Manning is going to be the quarterback at Texas next year. So if you want to play college football, you probably have to move on somewhere,” Kiper said on the First Draft podcast. “I would do that if I’m Quinn Ewers.”
Ewers has not publicly announced his intentions for the 2025 season, but people close to him allege that his intentions are to enter the draft.
However, if Ewers’ draft stock continues to fall, he could very well decide to remain in college. Kiper’s comments have added fuel to that speculation.
Entering the transfer portal could position Ewers to start elsewhere while preserving his remaining year of eligibility.
Having transferred from Ohio State to Texas after one season in 2021, Ewers has played 33 games with the Longhorns, showcasing both his talent and potential for growth.
This season, Ewers’ campaign included moments of brilliance, such as eight combined touchdown passes in wins over Vanderbilt and Florida, but also struggles, like two costly interceptions in the SEC title game loss to Georgia.
That defeat reignited conversations about Manning as Texas’ quarterback of the future.
In fairness to Ewers, he’s probably much more injured than people realize. It’s clear he’s nowhere near 100%, yet he’s still out there battling. He deserves credit for that.
Kiper urged Ewers to carefully weigh his options, particularly if he wants to improve his draft stock.
“I would not come out unless I really played phenomenal football in these playoff games and came into this draft process with tremendous momentum,” Kiper said. “I don’t want to become a second or third round pick.”
Despite early-season draft buzz, Ewers is currently absent from projections for the first three rounds, according to The 33rd Team’s latest mock draft. (That would most likely change if he were to enter the draft and go through all of the evaluations.)
With NIL deals providing lucrative opportunities, Ewers could benefit financially by staying in college another year.
Ewers’ next challenge comes tomorrow as Texas returns to Darnell K. Royal Stadium to face Clemson and Quinn’s old high school rival, Cade Klubnik.
What are your thoughts on the ongoing speculation that Ewers will pass up on the draft and remain in college?
If that’s actually what happens, would he be best off to transfer (to where?) and allow Steve Sarkisian to pass off the baton to Arch Manning???
