Now that the Texas Longhorns are officially eliminated from the College Football Playoff, players have until Wednesday, January 15, to either declare for the 2025 NFL Draft or enter the transfer portal. One of the most notable players who has yet to make his decision regarding his future heading into today is quarterback Quinn Ewers. Since the Arch Manning era in Texas officially began, Ewers had the option to hit the portal or declare for the draft.
According to Pete Nakos of On3, over the past two weeks, there were rumors that a certain college football team offered Ewers $6 million to transfer to their school rather than declare for the upcoming draft. Many fans were curious about the redshirt junior’s looming decision.
The Texas Longhorns quarterback reveals his plans for 2025

In a video on X, Quinn Ewers announces that he will forego his final year of college eligibility and declare for the 2025 NFL Draft instead of entering the transfer portal. Ewers finishes his college career throwing for 9,128 passing yards, 68 touchdowns, 28 interceptions, two consecutive College Football Playoff appearances, and a 27-9 record over three seasons as the starting quarterback for the Texas Longhorns. You can watch the video below:
— Quinn Ewers (@QuinnEwers) January 15, 2025
Why this move is surprising

Quinn Ewers’s decision to declare for the draft is surprising because he has been inconsistent throughout his tenure. Although he had a solid career in Texas and made the Longhorns relevant, fans and scouts have criticized his arm, accuracy, mobility, and injury history. Mel Kiper Jr. has him ranked as the fifth-best quarterback prospect in the draft, and he doesn’t have a first-round draft grade.
Finally, since Ewers doesn’t have a first-round grade, his decision to declare for the draft is surprising because he would have made more money if he decided to enter the transfer portal and accepted the rumored $6 million NIL deal.
Many fans have repeated this sentiment. Here’s what they had to say about his decision.
Fans question Texas Longhorns quarterback for declaring for 2025 NFL Draft

Im not understanding this move unless its a play for more NIL $. He will be a 2-4 round pick or stay one more year and make 5+ million in NIL somewhere, and try to improve his draft stock.
— Bradley Anderson (@BradleyJA_) January 15, 2025
What round y’all think? I’m going to say 4th.
— The Gotham Sports Report (@TheGothamSRP) January 15, 2025
Idk who on his team is telling him this is a good idea, but they should be fired.
It’s so glaringly obvious that he’s not ready for the NFL. Weak arm, inconsistent, not accurate, and doesn’t have the mobility to compensate. If he were smart he’d transfer somewhere for 1 year,…
— Frisky Dingo ✌️ (@friskydingo4242) January 15, 2025
Not saying this is what’s happening here but interestingly the draft can now be used as leverage in an NIL negotiation
— SHREDDER (@SHREDDER_365) January 15, 2025
@beanthejetsfan @MattOLearyNY @JetsTalk247 He had a rough playoff but he helped revive texas. Would y’all consider him with a 4th rounder? Or someone like Dart or McCord instead?
— ıllıllı M̴r̴.̴D̴o̴w̴n̴t̴o̴w̴n̴e̴ ıllıllı🥃🎩 (@jonsays) January 15, 2025
Congrats on being a 4-6 round pick
— Biggsy (@biggsy8818) January 15, 2025
A little surprised by this, given how the season ended. He has the tangibles to be a solid QB in NFL in the right situation with the right development but wonder if it would’ve been better to get another year under his belt in college + make more money through NIL.
— Stadium Seat Sports (@StadiumSeatSpts) January 15, 2025
If you’re a solid QB, why not bounce around to the highest bidder each year until you have to go to the NFL?
— Do What’s Right (@do_whats_rite) January 15, 2025
He should’ve transferred and played one more year. It would have helped his draft stock tremendously!
— DynastyCLE (@DynastyCLE) January 15, 2025
Sometimes dudes gotta go back on their word and do what’s best for them… which is NOT going to the NFL after this year
— Hail Mary Sports (@hailmarysportss) January 15, 2025
Could have made more money, sucking it up in college
— WestTexasMarine (@WestTexasMarine) January 15, 2025
Terrible decision, he could have made more with 1 more year and college and developed more. He’s not NFL ready
— Game Day Junkies (@GameDayJunkies) January 15, 2025