After serving as a three-year starter for the Texas Longhorns, quarterback Quinn Ewers announced earlier this week that he’s declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft.
While also effectively squelching rumors that other programs were enticing him to enter the transfer portal, Ewers’s decision might also cost him a lot of money—that is, in the immediate future.
According to a report from 247Sports’ Chip Brown, Ewers turned down an NIL offer of $8 million in order to go pro this year.
For reference, Ewers reportedly earned ~$6 million total over the last three seasons in Austin, so this deal would’ve made him more money in one season than he’s seen to this point in his collegiate career.
While it seems incomprehensible to turn down an offer for that kind of money, this ultimately comes down to Ewers taking a gamble on himself.
According to projections, first-round selections in the 2025 NFL Draft will sign contracts ranging in value from $42 million at the top to $13 million at the bottom.
Last year’s No. 1 overall pick, Caleb Williams, signed a four-year rookie contract worth $39.4 million, with around $7.1M coming from the Bears’ 2024 salary. Meanwhile, pick No. 32 (Xavier Legette) signed a contract worth $12.3 million total.
Theoretically, if Ewers is taken in the first round—which could happen in a quarterback-needy year— he’d be set to make much more than he would’ve in college.
As it stands, Ewers is projected as the No. 3 quarterback on ESPN’s Big Board, but he’s the No. 60 overall prospect available. Will a franchise be willing to pull the trigger on him with their first-round pick? Only time will tell.
With a 21-5 record as a starter in Austin, Ewers completed 64.9% of his attempts for 9,128 yards and 68 touchdowns with 24 interceptions. Ewers had career highs in both touchdowns (31) and interceptions (12) in the 2024 season while completing 65.8% of his attempts for 3,472 yards.
