The Miami Dolphins’ seventh-round pick, Quinn Ewers, is a puzzle wrapped in an enigma, and for those closely following the 2025 NFL draft, his selection might raise eyebrows. Ewers, a Texas high school legend, did things his way, leaving prep school early for Ohio State, then entering the NFL with college eligibility and NIL money still on the table. The common narrative among draft analysts is that Ewers lacks elite arm talent, a take that’s puzzled those who’ve seen his potential. Chris Simms and Colt McCoy, for instance, have wondered why he doesn’t “let it rip” like they’ve seen him do before. But in the age of “it didn’t happen if you don’t have the video,” Ewers has the receipts.
Take that August 2019 video from before his junior year at Southlake Carroll High School, where he launches what appears to be an 85-yard pass. Unofficial, sure, more of a javelin throw than a five-step drop, probably wind-aided, but still, it’s a heck of a throw from a 16-year-old. Then there’s the video from the Steve Clarkson Quarterback Camp, where Ewers, in street clothes, uncorks a 70-yard bomb. These moments are a reminder of the arm talent that made him the highest-rated prospect in the 2022 class, a player who opted for Ohio State over Texas, chasing NIL opportunities and a chance to play early, only to mostly sit behind C.J. Stroud.
So why the regression? It’s not that Ewers has regressed, but rather that he’s played hurt—a lot. He tore his oblique in Week 2 against Michigan in 2024 and gutted out the season, still leading the SEC with 27 passing touchdowns and guiding the Longhorns to a conference championship in their first year in the league. It’s a testament to his toughness, but also a reason why his draft stock slipped. The hits he took, the injuries he played through, they’ve taken a toll, and for a player with his pedigree, it’s a story of resilience more than regression.
Now, with the Dolphins, the question is whether a stronger, healthier Quinn Ewers can return to form. The expectations are tempered, but the potential is there. Ewers’ journey— from high school phenom to Ohio State backup to Texas leader to seventh-round pick—is a reminder that talent alone doesn’t dictate draft position. It’s about consistency, health, and sometimes, timing. For Ewers, Miami’s a new chapter, and with a clean bill of health, he could rewrite the narrative. Stay tuned, because this story’s got legs, and Ewers is ready to prove the doubters wrong. The NFL’s a tough place, but for a player with his arm talent and grit, the possibilities are endless.
