Quinn Ewers, once the No. 1 overall recruit in the 2021 class, shocked many by declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft instead of exploring the booming college transfer portal.
Why the Transfer Portal Was a Better Fit for Quinn Ewers Than the 2025 NFL Draft: A Reporter’s Insight
Three rounds into the draft without hearing his name called, it’s clear why several experts, including Nakos, believe Ewers would have been better off remaining in college football for another year.
I reported on New Year’s Eve that Quinn Ewers would have been one of the highest-paid quarterbacks in college football history had he entered the transfer portal instead of the NFL draft. https://t.co/FyFbe33esH
— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos_) April 26, 2025
Ewers’ college resume is undeniably strong. After beginning his career at Ohio State, he transferred to Texas, quickly earning the starting job and leading the Longhorns to the Big 12 Championship game. Along the way, he set a conference title game record for passing yards and earned MVP honors.
Over three years as Texas’ starter, Ewers threw for 8,845 career yards and 66 touchdowns, ranking third in school history in both categories. His consistency, including a 20-game streak of at least one touchdown pass, tied him with Shedeur Sanders for the longest active streak in the FBS.
Despite these accolades, Ewers’ 2024 season raised concerns among NFL scouts. His interception total doubled from the previous year, reaching 12, and a critical benching for Arch Manning during a pivotal home loss to Georgia created doubt about his readiness for the professional level.
While Ewers still led Texas to back-to-back College Football Playoff appearances, the inconsistency seemed to spook teams enough to cause his slide into the later rounds.
This is where the transfer portal could have changed everything for Ewers. According to Nakos, reporting on New Year’s Eve, Ewers was in line to become one of the highest-paid quarterbacks in college football history if he had entered the portal.
With offers rumored around $6 million, Ewers could have both significantly increased his earnings and refined his game at another high-profile program before attempting the NFL leap again in 2026.
The NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) era has fundamentally changed the decision-making process for top college athletes. For elite players like Ewers, returning to school no longer means sacrificing financial opportunities. In fact, staying could have provided both economic security and a better platform to address the concerns that hurt his draft stock.
Choosing the 2025 NFL Draft over the transfer portal now looks like a costly gamble. While Ewers’ long-term professional potential remains high, thanks to his elite arm talent and natural leadership, his immediate path has become far steeper.
KEEP READING: Shedeur Sanders vs. Quinn Ewers: Comparing the Top QBs Remaining for NFL Draft Day 3
As a Day 3 pick, the margin for error shrinks dramatically, and the chances to develop are far fewer than they would have been with another year of college dominance and continued NIL earnings.
Ultimately, Ewers’ fall serves as a cautionary tale for future prospects weighing the NFL against the lucrative opportunities still available in college football. The transfer portal, with the right fit and the right paycheck, might have been the better play.
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