Texas Longhorns Football

Quarterback Quinn Ewers reportedly turned down a hefty name, image and likeness (NIL) offer to transfer to a different school in favor of entering the 2025 NFL draft.

According to 247Sports' Chip Brown, Ewers received an $8 million offer from an unknown program to transfer from Texas, but he instead decided to declare for the NFL draft.

Per Brown, sources close to Ewers said he turned down the offer due in part to his desire to end his collegiate career as a Longhorn.

Ewers' high school football coach at Southlake Carroll, Riley Dodge, seemed to confirm the quarterback's loyalty to the University of Texas this week, telling 247Sports: "Texas was the only place he wanted to play college football. He wanted to leave Texas in good standing."

According to Brown, Ewers earned a total of $6 million in NIL money during his time at Texas, plus another $1.4 million for signing with GT Sports Marketing in 2021.

Ewers reportedly could have earned more than all of that combined in just one year had he transferred, but he will try his hand at the NFL instead.

The B/R NFL Scouting Department ranked Ewers as the No. 102 overall player and No. 8 quarterback in the 2025 NFL draft as part of its latest big board released on Jan. 2.

If that ranking holds up, it means Ewers is in line to be an early fourth-round pick. However, two NFL scouts told Brown they expect Ewers to come off the board between the end of the first round and the beginning of the third round.

Even if Ewers goes as high as the late first, his rookie contract would only be worth somewhere in the neighborhood of $13 million over four years, per Brown.

That means Ewers likely turned down significantly more money to play collegiately than he is going to make in the NFL next season.

The 21-year-old Ewers originally committed to Ohio State in late 2020, but after receiving no playing time in 2021, he transferred to Texas.

Ewers went on to be a three-year starter for the Longhorns, going 27-9 in 36 starts and leading the Longhorns to the College Football Playoff in each of the past two seasons.

He completed 69.0 percent of his passes for 3,479 yards, 22 touchdowns and six interceptions in 2023 and followed it up by completing 65.8 percent of his passing attempts for 3,472 yards, 31 touchdowns and 12 picks this season.

Ewers led Texas to CFP wins over Clemson and Arizona State this season, but the Longhorns fell 28-14 to Ohio State in the semifinals.

The Longhorns were in position to potentially tie the game late in the fourth quarter against OSU, but Ewers was sacked and stripped on a 4th-and-goal play, and Buckeyes defensive end Jack Sawyer returned the fumble 83 yards for the game-sealing touchdown.

While Ewers technically could have stayed at Texas for another year rather than entering the draft, it may have created an awkward situation due to the presence of quarterback Arch Manning.

The No. 1 overall recruit in 247Sports' 2023 rankings sat and learned behind Ewers for two years, but after performing well during a brief Ewers injury absence this season, it became clear that Manning was the future under center for the Longhorns.

Let the Arch Manning era begin at Texas, because Quinn Ewers is heading to the next level.

Ewers' agent confirmed to ESPN's Pete Thamel his client is declaring for the 2025 NFL draft. Ewers also shared a video thanking his Longhorns coaches and teammates while announcing his decision.

Ewers was listed as the eighth-best quarterback in a January big board of prospects from B/R's NFL Scouting Department, so he has plenty of ground to cover.

However, he has the opportunity to do just that during the NFL Scouting Combine and predraft process. He could also thrive in those environments, as he has been accustomed to being under the spotlight from an early age.

Ewers was the No. 1 overall player in the recruiting class of 2021, per 247Sports' composite rankings, and chose Ohio State before eventually transferring to Texas ahead of the 2022 season.

While there were some ups and downs at first, he took quite the leap from his first year with the Longhorns—when he completed 58.1 percent of his passes for 2,177 yards, 15 touchdowns and six interceptions—to his second, when he completed 69 percent of his passes for 3,479 yards, 22 touchdowns and six interceptions.

The team also went from 8-5 in 2022 to Big 12 champions and the College Football Playoff in 2023. Even though the Longhorns lost to Washington in that CFP, expectations were sky-high for Ewers and Co. heading into the 2024 campaign.

And he wasted little time delivering on them by throwing for three touchdowns in a road win over the reigning national champions in Michigan in the second game. That put Texas into the CFP discussion for the rest of the season, although Ewers faced some adversity when he missed time with an injury and was then temporarily benched for a stretch during a loss to Georgia after he returned.

Yet he bounced back and impressed from there with a road win over a tricky Vanderbilt team and five touchdowns in a win over Florida that put Texas in position to control its destiny for an SEC title and CFP berth.

It delivered and reached that SEC Championship Game with a victory over rival Texas A&M to close the regular season, although Ewers was inconsistent at best with an interception and lost fumble.

He was also inconsistent in the SEC Championship Game loss to Georgia with one touchdown pass to two interceptions, but the Longhorns still made the CFP as the No. 5 seed.

They advanced to the semifinals in the CFP with victories over Clemson and Arizona State, although their championship aspirations ended against Ewers' former team when they lost to Ohio State.

Ewers' future was a talking point going into that game against the Buckeyes, as he sat down with Thamel and said "yes" when asked if he believed he will be in the NFL next season.

Even though he couched that by adding, "we'll see," he also added that his expectation is he was not going to play in college football any longer.

That raised the question about how his skill set will translate to the next level, and he has proved capable of making throws to all levels and using his mobility to extend plays and stress opposing defenses.

There is still work to be done before solidifying his place in the NFL draft, and he will now focus on doing just that before April.

Texas wide receiver Isaiah Bond declared for the 2025 NFL draft following the Longhorns' elimination from the College Football Playoff.

"I'm very appreciative of my time at Texas," he said to ESPN's Pete Thamel. "I told Coach [Steve Sarkisian], 'I appreciate the opportunity for him giving me a chance to play on his football team at this great university. I'm grateful and deeply appreciative he took me in as one of his own."

Bond is the No. 52 overall player and sixth-best wideout on Bleacher Report's 2025 big board.

The junior transferred in to Texas after spending his first two college seasons at Alabama. In 14 appearances for the Longhorns, he caught 34 passes for 540 yards and five touchdowns.

Bond battled an ankle injury that limited his effectiveness toward the end of the campaign. He had just two receptions and 30 yards across Texas' final five games.

Despite the fact his on-field production doesn't jump off the page, Bond could be a Day 2 pick or maybe even move into the first round thanks in large part to his physical tools. ESPN's Matt Miller reported in September that one NFL scout believes he might be faster than former Texas star Xavier Worthy, who ran a record-setting 4.21-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine.

"Bond makes plays from anywhere on the field because of a combination of elite speed and explosiveness," B/R's Dame Parson wrote in the big board. "He is a game-breaker who can outrun pursuit angles with relative ease. Route-running is an underrated part of his game, though. Bond is a good off the stems and moves with twitch, explosiveness and suddenness to defeat single coverage. He's a Day 2 prospect and weapon for NFL offenses to covet."

Last year, Worthy's performance at the combine helped catapult him into the first round, where the Kansas City Chiefs picked him 28th overall.

Bond is the kind of prospect who thrives at showcases such as the combine and Texas' pro day, and he could climb draft boards in the same way Worthy did.

Some Texas fans are ready to see Arch Manning play for a shot at the national championship game.

Viewers of the 2025 Cotton Bowl called for Steve Sarkisian to make a quarterback change after Ewers struggled against Ohio State in Friday night's first half.

After falling into an early 7-0 deficit, Texas punted on four straight first-half drives to start out the national semifinal.

Ewers connected on eight of his first 16 passes while getting pushed back nine yards on four carries. The Buckeyes defense had already racked up three sacks by halftime.

In the final minute of the half, Sarkisian put Manning in the game to convert a crucial 4th and 1.

Manning delivered, losing the ball only after he was ruled down to help the Longhorns extend the drive.

Ewers then capped off the drive by putting an 18-yard passing touchdown in the hands of Jaydon Blue.

The Longhorns didn't get to enjoy the tied score for long. Ohio State answered the tying score with 75-yard touchdown on a single-play drive that sent TreVeyon Henderson into the end zone.

Ewers finished out the first two quarters having gone 10-of-20 for 133 yards and a touchdown with a fumble.

Texas went into halftime staring down a seven-point deficit, while some Longhorns fans went into the break hoping to see Manning come out again for the start of the third quarter.

Whichever team emerges victorious from the Cotton Bowl will advance to face Notre Dame for the national title on Monday, Jan. 20.

Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers believes he has played his final season of college football.

When asked by ESPN's Pete Thamel if he expects to play in the NFL next season, Ewers answered "Yes."

He added, "We'll see," per Thamel.

Thamel also asked Ewers if he expected to play in the NCAA next season. The Longhorns quarterback answered, "No."

Ewers and Texas kick off the Cotton Bowl against Ohio State on Friday night at 7:30 p.m. ET. The winner will advance to face Notre Dame in the national championship game.

According to Thamel, "sources close to Ewers" told him there is an "overwhelming likelihood" the quarterback declares for the 2025 draft.

Ewers was already expected to move on from Texas this spring as Longhorns backup Arch Manning eyes a shot at starting next season.

But that path could take him to another college program rather than the draft. On3's Pete Nakos recently reported Ewers had received a $6 million offer to enter the transfer portal this spring.

When asked about that report on Wednesday, Ewers said he was focused only on the matchup with Ohio State, per USA Today's Dan Wolken.

Wolken then asked Ewers if the result of the semifinal, and potentially the national championship game, would impact his decision. "That's a great question," Ewers answered, per Wolken.

Ewers went on to tell Thamel he "hadn't even paid attention to" the rumors regarding the transfer portal offer.

"I'm not really sure what's going on," Ewers said.

This is the second straight season in which Ewers has led the Longhorns to a national semifinal appearance. His completion rate dipped to 66.5 percent this season, but he has thrown for 3,189 yards with 29 touchdowns and 11 interceptions through 13 starts.

The fourth-year senior, who began his career as a backup at Ohio State before transferring to Texas, had originally planned to enter the 2024 NFL Draft, according to Thamel.

He decided not to enter because he finished the campaign with fewer than 25 college starts, a benchmark correlated with quarterback readiness for the NFL, per Thamel.

One NFL general manager told Thamel there is "wild variance" among his scouts as to where Ewers should go in the upcoming draft. He could help increase his stock, and his chances of being selected early by a quarterback-needy team, by leading Texas to victory on Friday night.

Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers told reporters that he's able to pay his mother a salary with his NIL money, noting how much effort both his parents put in to raising him and his sisters while helping him get to where he is today.

Spectrum News Texas' Travis Recek relayed the remarks.

"I get to pay my mom a salary which is nice just 'cause, you know, all the effort and work they put into me growing up," Ewers said, per Kristen Wong of KRON4.

"I mean they both—we were living in south Texas, they both quit their jobs and moved up to Southlake… For them and all the work that they put in for me and my two sisters is—what I give back can't describe how thankful I am for everything that they do for me."

Per On3, Ewers currently has a $4.5 million NIL valuation, the fourth-highest in college football.

Ewers and the Longhorns will face Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl, with the winner advancing to the national championship.

KVUE's Anne Parker-Coleman asked Ewers if his mother will get a raise if the Longhorns win it all, and the signal-caller replied that they'll have to negotiate.

In his third season as Texas' starter, Ewers has thrown for 29 touchdowns (11 interceptions) and 3,189 yards while leading the Longhorns to a 13-2 record. He most recently threw for 322 yards and accounted for four touchdowns (three passing, one rushing) in a 39-31 win over Arizona State in the Peach Bowl.

Ewers will look to continue his good form on Friday, with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. in Arlington, Texas' AT&T Stadium.

Quinn Ewers has a decision to make after the end of the season, but for now, he's staying locked in on the task at hand.

The Texas quarterback was asked about receiving sizeable offers to put his name into the transfer portal, and he said his current focus is on the Longhorns' upcoming College Football Playoff matchup against Ohio State.

"I mean, right now, I'm just, I'm just not worried about all that stuff," Ewers said, per USA Today's Dan Wolken. "I mean, people can say all they want to say, but, you know, I'm just focused on focus on Friday at this point in time."

Ewers, who began his career at Ohio State before transferring to Texas, has one year of eligibility remaining after the 2024 season. Of course, the NFL draft is also an option for the standout.

But a recent report from On3's Pete Nakos said that Ewers has received a $6 million offer to remain in college football and enter the transfer portal this offseason. If Ewers warranted that kind of offer before the season is even over, there's no telling how much he might receive down the road.

An offer that high would be hard to turn down for Ewers, especially considering he might not be at the top of NFL scouts' draft boards this spring.

If he decides to use his final year of eligibility at Texas, Ewers will more than likely have to fight for the role of QB1. Backup quarterback Arch Manning has said he intends to return to Texas next season, and with the way he's performed in his appearances this year, there's a good chance he would get the nod over Ewers.

For now, Ewers will look to take care of business against Ohio State on Friday.

Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian is two wins away from lifting the trophy as a College Football Playoff national champion, and his next move after that title pursuit reportedly could involve the NFL.

"I would expect some teams to call and inquire about Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian, who has drawn some interest from the NFL level," ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Sunday (5:25 mark).

While Sarkisian is best known for his time in the college ranks, he does have some NFL experience.

He was the quarterbacks coach of the Oakland Raiders in 2004 and was also the offensive coordinator of the Atlanta Falcons for two seasons in 2017 and 2018. The 2017 Falcons finished eighth in the league in yards and made the playoffs, while the 2018 Falcons finished sixth in the league in yards but missed the postseason in large part because of a poor defense.

Sarkisian has made a name for himself as a head coach in college, though. He led the Washington Huskies from 2009-13, the USC Trojans in 2014 and 2015, and the Longhorns since 2021.

Texas has improved in each of his four seasons, which started with a 5-7 effort. Since then, it went 8-5 in 2022 and reached the CFP in each of the last two seasons.

A move to the SEC didn't stop the program's momentum in 2024, as the Longhorns went 11-1 during the regular season and reached the conference title game before defeating Clemson and Arizona State in the first two rounds of the CFP.

Next up is a showdown with the red-hot Ohio State Buckeyes for a chance to play in the national championship game.

Sarkisian is known as an excellent offensive mind, and Texas has averaged 34.3 points per game this season. It scored a combined 77 points in its first two playoff games and has key playmakers in quarterback Quinn Ewers, wide receiver Matthew Golden and running back Quintrevion Wisner leading the way.

While Sarkisian would be an outside-the-box hire, he has proven himself under the bright spotlight at Texas and has some NFL experience. He would also likely provide a boost to whichever offense he took over and is reportedly on the NFL's radar at this point.

Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian believes his Longhorns are preparing to face "the best team in college football" when they take on Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl on Jan. 10.

"I need Longhorn Nation to show out in Arlington," Sarkisian said in a Friday Zoom call with reporters, per ESPN's Dave Wilson. "We're going to need everything we've got to try to win this game. Clearly, we're massive underdogs. Nobody's going to give us a shot."

Sarkisian continued: "This is the best team in college football, and we're going to have to make sure that we put our best forward to give ourselves a chance to win the game."

Despite having fallen in the playoff seeding thanks to a regular-season finale loss to Michigan, No. 6 Ohio State eliminated top-ranked Oregon with a 41-21 Rose Bowl win on Wednesday.

Texas' semifinal berth looked to be in jeopardy the same day as Arizona State pushed the favorited Longhorns to double overtime in Wednesday's Peach Bowl.

The Longhorns prevailed in a 39-31 win. It was ASU running back Cam Skattebo named Peach Bowl MVP, however, in a close game that left Ohio State the betting favorites heading into the semifinal.

Day said during his own media appearance on Friday that he was working to keep his team from being distracted by outside noise regarding their title hopes following the quarterfinal win over Oregon.

"Nothing that's happened in the past, or really the noise that's around the building has anything to do with our preparation and our focus and our process, and that's what we've been diving into," Day said, per 247Sports' Hank South.

Day continued, per South: "I think that's one of the things that our guys need to understand is that when you're playing in playoffs, it's almost like, you know, seasons within themselves during that week, and that, you know, you almost start from scratch... And so we got to do a great job this late in the season of being disciplined to do a better job than Texas."

The upcoming matchup will be highlighted by the return of Quinn Ewers, who transferred to Texas after one season with Ohio State, to face his former team.

Day praised Ewers as "one of the best quarterbacks in the country" on Friday, per South.

Ohio State and Texas last faced off during the 2009 Fiesta Bowl, which Texas won 41-21. The Longhorns have an all-time 2-1 record against the Buckeyes.

A championship game berth will be on the line when these two programs meet up for a fourth time next Friday.