Once a highly-regarded five-star recruit, now-former Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers’ draft didn’t go as he likely once planned. He was the last of 14 passers taken during the 2025 NFL Draft, going to the Miami Dolphins with the No. 231 overall choice.
247Sports’ Chip Brown reported in January that Ewers was offered $8 million to transfer rather than enter the draft. Where he was taken in that order — and the money he’s lost because of it — has prompted some to criticize him for his decision. CBS Sports’ Josh Pate isn’t among that crowd.
Josh Pate Applauds Quinn Ewers for Prioritizing Legacy Over Big NFL Payouts
“Is it not funny to anyone other than me that you’ve got this group of casual fans that scream at kids when they chase a bag in college football, and that same crowd is criticizing Quinn Ewers for turning down a bag to chase his dream?” Pate said Sunday on his podcast, “Josh Pate’s College Football Show.”
Some of the same folks who trash kids for chasing a bag also trashed Quinn Ewers for turning one down to chase his dream
Legacy matters here pic.twitter.com/cyqKeWgcAr
— Josh Pate (@JoshPateCFB) April 28, 2025
“What exactly are you wanting kids to do? You chase the bag in college, and (it’s), ‘Shame on them.’ And then you got one that says, ‘$4 million, huh? No, I think I’ll go chase my dream. I wanna be an NFL player. And, you know what, if I go in the sixth or seventh round, that’s okay. I just want a shot.’ … (Then, it’s), ‘What an idiot!'” Pate exclaimed.
Pate reasoned that Ewers wanted to be remembered as a Longhorn, though he started his collegiate journey at Ohio State.
“Legacy matters,” Pate said. “You’ve always taken it for granted because, up until about 10 minutes ago, guys began and played and finished their career at one school. But, that’s becoming less and less of a norm, especially at his position.
He continued, “Do you know over the next 30 years how much it’s worth to Quinn Ewers — on the speaking circuit, at public events and functions — to be able to market himself as a legacy former Texas quarterback and nothing else? Just a Texas quarterback.
RELATED: Quinn Ewers Reportedly Lost Nearly $5 Million by Entering NFL Draft Instead of Transferring
“Because maybe not in one year, but over several years, that’s worth a whole heck of a lot more than $4 million. And, if you don’t believe me, you don’t know much about the state of Texas, that Longhorn brand, that position, and what it means to be able to market yourself accordingly.
“…Folks appreciate that. Especially those deeper pockets, which tend to be your older crowd, they appreciate that stuff and always will — and they should.”
While Ewers did go undrafted, he signed as an undrafted free agent with the Miami Dolphins. He joins a QB room with starter Tua Tagovailoa and backup Zach Wilson.
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