The Texas Longhorns are entering a new chapter without quarterback Quinn Ewers, who departed for the 2025 NFL Draft and was taken in the seventh round by the Miami Dolphins. In a recent interview with On3’s Nick Schultz, Ewers described his college NIL experience as “unconventional.” The NCAA officially allowed athletes to profit from their name, image, and likeness beginning in July 2021.
In 2021, Quinn Ewers made a bold move by reclassifying and skipping his final year of high school to join Ohio State early, right as the NIL era took off. His time in Columbus was brief—he appeared in just one game before entering the transfer portal. Wanting a fresh start and closer to home, Ewers transferred to Texas, where he became a centerpiece of Steve Sarkisian’s rebuild. His decision-making, both on and off the field, reflected a calculated approach to maximizing his development and NIL potential.
“The way that it’s kind of been set up for me has been nothing short of unconventional, I think I would say,” Ewers noted.
“Skipping my senior year to enroll at Ohio State early, and then be there for not even a whole calendar year and then decide to go back to my home state of Texas and really, turn around a program that hadn’t really won anything in years, consistently. For me, I go in and lose one game on the road my entire career, go 11-1 on the road. Win a Big 12 title game, go to the College Football Playoff two years in a row and win a Peach Bowl, win multiple Playoff games. It’s nothing short of special,” the newest member of the Dolphins continued
Quinn Ewers moves to the NFL
When Quinn Ewers declared for the NFL Draft, his NIL valuation stood at $4.5 million. Over his college career, he recorded 9,218 passing yards, 68 touchdowns, and 24 interceptions. His decision to turn pro sparked mixed reactions—especially given reports from 247Sports’ Chip Brown that Ewers could have earned up to $8 million in NIL deals had he returned to Texas for another season.
Given Quinn Ewers’ popularity and high NIL valuation, many might have assumed he’d be a first-round draft pick. That was certainly the expectation when his college journey began. Instead, Ewers slid to the seventh round.
When NIL opportunities first emerged, Quinn Ewers wasted no time capitalizing. He landed his initial deal with Panini, launching a lucrative run as one of college football’s most marketable names. Now, with his college days behind him, Ewers has transitioned to the next phase—NFL contracts. He signed a four-year, $4.33 million deal with the Miami Dolphins. While his college earnings outpaced that figure, it’s still a solid start for a seventh-round rookie stepping into the league.
