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Todd Archer
Quinn Ewers was in ache.
He couldn’t eat very a lot, if in any respect. He may hardly smile. And little or no of it needed to do with the place he went within the NFL draft: Spherical 7 — No. 231 of 257 picks — to the Miami Dolphins.
The week earlier than the draft, Ewers, the previous Texas quarterback, had 4 knowledge enamel extracted. One left an uncovered nerve that had him hurting.
When the draft started, Ewers figured he wouldn’t be among the many first 32 picks, however Spherical 2 was a chance. His agent, Ron Slavin, felt virtually assured Ewers can be picked earlier than the final spherical.
Whether or not it was due to issues about arm energy, mobility or earlier accidents, 12 quarterbacks had been chosen earlier than Ewers, who led the SEC with 31 landing passes in 2024 (regardless of lacking two video games) and led the Longhorns to the School Soccer Playoff semifinals two straight years.
Shedeur Sanders‘ slide from attainable first-rounder to the 144th choose within the fifth overshadowed Ewers’ disappointing fall.
“I simply did not know what was occurring,” Ewers, 22, informed ESPN two days after the draft, throughout a break from his exercises at MARR STRENGTH in Southlake, Texas. “However, I imply, it was good [to get drafted], as a result of at one level I am like, ‘I am not even going to get drafted. I’ll go undrafted.’
“It was very sudden, and I feel that the hardest half about it’s simply the quantity of sudden occurrences there have been. However I am glad that I ended up the place I ended up. To go as late as I did, I am glad it is a great place.”
ESPN adopted Ewers all through his draft course of, from pre-combine work at Southlake Carroll highschool to the NFL draft mix in Indianapolis to Texas’ professional day in Austin to predraft visits with the Las Vegas Raiders and Indianapolis Colts and, lastly, to draft weekend in Lake Bridgeport, Texas.
That is his journey from excessive predraft expectations by his lengthy wait to be chosen within the seventh spherical — and the chance that lies forward for him with the Dolphins.
Late January: Getting wholesome
Tucked right into a string of workplace buildings simply off State Freeway 114 in Southlake, Texas, is MARR STRENGTH. On the partitions are jerseys worn by baseball and soccer gamers skilled by Chad Marr through the years. One is a Ewers No. 3 Texas jersey.
Marr has labored with Ewers for the reason that quarterback was at Ohio State in 2021 earlier than he transferred to Texas, however this was the primary time they spent this a lot time coaching collectively — 5 days per week, two hours a day.
When Ewers arrived at MARR, he weighed solely 200 kilos. He was worn down from a protracted season and unable to coach correctly due to two indirect tears and a excessive ankle sprain suffered throughout the season.
“Communication is a giant factor when guys come out [of college],” Marr mentioned. “You must give them a way of route.
“It is a lengthy yr for them, and it is like they’re in a state of affairs the place their entire life is managed. They should decompress just a little bit.”
The optimization program designed by Marr was so as to add weight to Ewers’ body however not make him cumbersome. Completely different days referred to as for particular areas of labor. Someday focused his again muscle tissues. The following was an upper-body exercise. One other day can be Marr’s proprietary BoxMatrix exercise that offers with hip and backbone mobility.
The plan was to develop useful energy with workout routines finished on totally different platforms and angles utilizing counterbalances to unlock totally different elements of the physique.
“I’ve him clarify these items to me in additional of English than no matter he talks,” Ewers laughed. “No, it is cool to get to listen to about how our physique is really put collectively.”
On the mix, Ewers weighed in at 214 kilos. Marr mentioned Ewers can simply carry 225 kilos on his 6-foot-2 body.
“Simply in 4 weeks, he placed on, I wish to say, 14, 15 kilos, and 11 kilos of that was muscle,” Marr mentioned earlier than the mix. “He did very well, however what that exhibits you is that it is there. The capability is there. He simply wanted the room to do it.”
Mid-February: On-field mix prep
The week earlier than Ewers left for the mix in Indianapolis, he spent a couple of days in a well-recognized setting: Southlake Carroll’s indoor facility.
He starred there — going to the Class 6A Division 1 state championship sport his junior yr — earlier than leaving for Ohio State.
On this present day in February, below the watchful eye of Throw It Deep quarterbacks coach Jeff Christensen, he threw passes for an hour to former Dallas Cowboys extensive receiver Terrance Williams, New York Giants operating again Dante Miller, Carolina Panthers cornerback Akayleb Evans and Southlake Carroll junior receiver Brock Boyd, a nationwide recruit within the Class of 2026.
“You do not know if a few of these groups are simply pump-faking you to play chess with different groups, or in the event that they actually such as you.”
— Quinn Ewers
“That is the place it began,” Ewers mentioned.
Since January, when the Longhorns misplaced to his former Buckeyes group within the CFP semis, Ewers had spent extra time engaged on his physique than throwing passes, however he settled in rapidly.
Throughout two throwing periods the week earlier than the mix, he ripped passes close to and much, exhibiting no results from the indirect accidents. With a wholesome ankle, he was on his toes extra. Christensen favored what he noticed.
“It is simply pure to him,” Christensen mentioned.
Ewers left for Indianapolis feeling assured.
“What I did at Texas is essential. I’ve lots of expertise on the soccer subject, which is one thing you may’t actually coach,” Ewers mentioned. “However now, going by the interview course of and whatnot, it is like several job interview. You are going in attempting to show why they need to rent you.”
Late February/early March: Mix week
After dinner on the famed St. Elmo Steak Home in Indianapolis, Ewers walked over to the Omni Resort. On the second ground, he was instantly fitted with a microphone for a sit-down interview to launch a brand new set of Panini America buying and selling playing cards. From there was a cease within the Beneath Armour suite, the place he was given some cleats, tennis sneakers, slides and all types of substances.
Nevertheless it was the presentation by Cognilize, a German actuality software program firm, that the majority enthused Ewers. Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels credited the expertise for his growth at LSU. Ewers donned a digital actuality masks and was transported onto a soccer subject. For the following 15 to twenty minutes, Ewers was transfixed.
He simulated dropbacks and threw passes — all just about — in a program designed to offer gamers extra reps than a apply would permit and with out the bodily toll it takes on the physique.
“I simply received sacked, did not I?” Ewers mentioned after the protection was sped up.
Earlier within the day, Ewers went by medical examinations that lasted six hours.
The day earlier than, Ewers had interviews with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, New York Jets, New Orleans Saints, Pittsburgh Steelers, Raiders and Colts. He had casual conferences with different groups that evening, too.
“Annually, he is made a giant soar in his growth, and that is what’s been fairly cool,” mentioned a scout from a group that interviewed him on the mix. “He was immature. Did not actually know the offense his freshman yr [at Ohio State]. I do not suppose he was actual endearing a pair years in the past.
“However he misplaced weight, received in form, received on a food plan, reduce his hair, confirmed he could be a chief. There’s been actually good development. And he is aware of it, and he can articulate all that.”
If anybody questions Ewers’ management, they will ask his Texas teammates what they suppose.
“His grit and dedication. He is a frontrunner on and off the sphere for us,” mentioned extensive receiver Matthew Golden, who was chosen No. 23 in Spherical 1 by the Inexperienced Bay Packers. “Every time Quinn talks, we pay attention.”
Ewers believes he aced the mix assessments and credit Slavin, whom he has recognized since he was in highschool.
“With preparation comes confidence, proper?” Ewers mentioned. “I do not wish to say I used to be overprepared, however I used to be ready quite a bit. I feel I did a extremely good job with the entire course of and stay up for seeing the way it finally ends up affecting every little thing that occurs sooner or later.”
Quinn Ewers had 18 of 23 throws heading in the right direction on the mix
His draft inventory is rising 📈
This is the total efficiency pic.twitter.com/OK6R9hVeoB
— Nash (@NashTalksTexas) March 1, 2025
On Feb. 28, he met the media, first a gaggle session after which particular person interviews with SiriusXM and different broadcast companions.
The following day, he put his arm on show.
“Man, I have been spinning it, so I be ok with placing on a present right here,” Ewers mentioned.
Lucas Oil Stadium was comparatively quiet March 1 as followers watched gamers run 40-yard dashes. Ewers was not there to work out. He solely threw.
“Quinn mentioned earlier than he walked in right here, ‘That is what I do,'” Slavin mentioned. “You watch some guys throw, and it is all effort and exerting all of their energy to throw the ball. With Quinn, it is a click on of the wrist and the ball goes 40 yards.”
Ewers displayed accuracy, contact and energy on his 22 throws of all differing types.
“He is received an actual fast stroke, actual easy. The ball comes out quick,” one NFC personnel director mentioned. “I feel the sport tape says he is actually good with the intermediate and quick stuff, and that form of confirmed with the rate and accuracy. He can layer the ball. Would not have the most important arm, but it surely’s greater than adequate for certain.”
Ewers left Indianapolis happy.
“I feel I did an excellent job of exhibiting groups who I’m as an individual and what I may be as a participant,” he mentioned. “Now it is simply attempting to get these guys to begin to consider in me.”
However he was not prepared to consider which group would choose him or favored him finest.
“The uncertainty proper now could be unreal,” Ewers mentioned, “as a result of you do not know if a few of these groups are simply pump-faking you to play chess with different groups, or in the event that they actually such as you.”
March 25: Professional day
On March 24, the day earlier than Texas’ professional day, Ewers had a late afternoon assembly in Austin, Texas, with the Steelers, together with coach Mike Tomlin. That evening, he had dinner at Perry’s Steakhouse in downtown Austin with the Saints’ contingent.
He sat between the Saints’ new coach Kellen Moore and offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier for a few hours, having fun with a steak and speaking soccer.
Final summer time, he was roommates with Nussmeier’s son, Garrett, the LSU quarterback, on the Manning Passing Academy.
“It is a small world,” Ewers mentioned. “It was good to make these connections. It was enjoyable to get to know them, ask them questions, and them asking me questions.”
It was a unique expertise than the mix and 18-minute formal interviews in Indianapolis.
“It is positively extra laid-back,” he mentioned after the mix. “Possibly that is due to the way in which I take a look at it now. The power goes to be totally different on the mix as a result of it is the primary time going by it. … I simply felt like I used to be in a position to be me round all these guys and present who I’m.”
Late within the morning on March 25, Ewers was again inside Texas’ indoor apply facility. He cheered on teammates as they bench-pressed 225 kilos and did vertical jumps.
His time to shine happened two hours after the session that includes 21 Longhorns started.
Each group was represented, and attendees included head coaches Moore, Mike Vrabel of the New England Patriots, Aaron Glenn of the Jets and Ben Johnson of the Chicago Bears. No less than six extra basic managers had been available.
“For a man like him,” mentioned one AFC personnel chief, “it should matter the place he goes. It is like that for each quarterback, actually. However he throws a catchable ball. He is correct. There’s quite a bit to love.”
Some issues about his NFL upside remained.
“The sturdiness and measurement, he is been banged up just a little bit, in order that’ll come up,” one NFC scout mentioned. “Yeah, he could make all of the throws, however there’s going to be questions on his deep ball. You most likely wish to see just a little extra there.”
Ewers and his talent gamers met earlier than the professional day to make a plan throughout their first session collectively since Texas’ loss to Ohio State on the Cotton Bowl.
“You do not go into the final sport we’re enjoying pondering it is the final time we’ll be collectively,” Ewers mentioned. “All of it ended abruptly for us, so to get collectively and see all of the arduous work since then come to fruition was actually cool.”
Over the following 20 minutes, Ewers ran the present, not a quarterback coach or an assistant. All people knew the script. He was warning these on the sidelines to remember when he was about to throw an out route. He had the coaches again up when he was rolling left or proper so he had more room.
“It was going to be my deal from the soar,” Ewers mentioned. “I wished to run it, present that I am the chief and the receivers look to me for that management. Simply wished to point out the presence that I convey and the command to no matter group I’ll. On the finish of the day, it was my day, the receivers’ day. It is what we wished.”
Ewers accomplished 30 of his first 33 passes. The three incompletions got here on dropped passes. Each move was on the cash, from the slants to the shallow crosses to the deep overs.
“Good ball, three!” a former teammate yelled from the bleachers after a stutter-go deep downfield to Golden.
Late within the session, a few the deep balls wobbled an excessive amount of for Ewers’ liking, however the session was virtually on fast-forward.
He ended up 50-of-59 with 4 drops and 5 throws that had been astray.
“That was pretty much as good a throwing session as I’ve seen,” one NFC scout mentioned.
“He had extra energy on his intermediate throws than I believed he would,” mentioned an AFC personnel chief. “The deep balls fluttered just a little bit, however he could make all of the throws.”
That evening, Ewers was scheduled to satisfy with the Dolphins, however he received a abdomen virus, which postponed a visit to Tampa to movie a section for Jon Gruden’s “QB Camp” on Barstool Sports activities.
April: Predraft visits
On April 3, Ewers made the short drive to The Star on the Cowboys’ world headquarters.
It was “Dallas Day,” the Cowboys’ time period for his or her exercises of native gamers previous to the draft from space excessive colleges and faculties. Ewers didn’t work out, however he met with the workers and coaches, and had a 90-minute assembly with proprietor and basic supervisor Jerry Jones.
“That was cool, simply sitting in there speaking with him,” Ewers mentioned.
Ewers grew up a Cowboys fan, however the probabilities of him getting chosen by the group took successful after the Cowboys made a commerce that day to amass Joe Milton III from the Patriots.
“Being from Southlake, proper down the street, getting to speak to all these guys on workers, the coaches, the pinnacle coach, Mr. Jones, it was actually unbelievable,” Ewers mentioned. “It has been my group rising up, so I do not know if it is actually sunk in but.”
The visits meant the draft course of was beginning to come to an finish.
Earlier than Ewers went to Las Vegas to satisfy with the Raiders, he had an essential weekend available. He was co-best man with Texas tight finish Gunnar Helm on the marriage ceremony of his Longhorns left guard, Hayden Conner.
“I’ve received to consider a speech,” he mentioned.
After his go to with the Raiders, he flew to Indianapolis to satisfy with the Colts. Different groups checked in by way of video chats.
“Simply [told] him to be himself,” Slavin mentioned of his recommendation to Ewers for these conferences.
“I feel my sport suits the NFL higher than it does in school, actually. I am prepared for the following step.”
— Quinn Ewers
In between dinners and conferences, Ewers nonetheless discovered time to work out. Marr despatched him a sequence of workout routines to undergo at an area gymnasium and even his resort room.
The visits to Las Vegas and Indianapolis crystallized what was about to occur in a couple of weeks on the draft in Inexperienced Bay, Wisconsin. He began to image the locations he noticed as a possible house for the following 4 years.
“Man, it is arduous, however we’re human beings,” Ewers mentioned. “They’re bringing you in on a top-30 go to otherwise you’re assembly with folks on Zoom, and also you begin to slender it down.
“However nonetheless, on the finish of the day, I’ve received no clue till I get the decision on draft day. I do not wish to get too enthusiastic about a spot.”
For Slavin, who represented 5 different draft prospects, the method with Ewers has been private. He first met the quarterback when Ewers was a sophomore in highschool and helped him navigate the trail that led him to Ohio State and, in the end, again to Texas.
When Slavin began, the connection between brokers and gamers largely did not start till their junior yr in school. He has grown near the Ewers household, so the criticism Ewers obtained from those that felt he did not meet their expectations at Texas and the championing of 2023 No. 1 recruit Arch Manning, who will begin within the fall, stung.
He knew groups wouldn’t give him their whole image as a result of they did not need him to share their ideas with different groups.
“It is private, but it surely’s extra nerve-racking since you do not wish to let anyone down,” Slavin mentioned. “Do I remorse possibly not having him sit a pair weeks with the indirect or get him extra wholesome? Certain. However Quinn did not wish to miss any video games. His aim from the start was to win a nationwide championship for Texas.
“So that you undergo this [draft] course of and also you say, ‘He is proven toughness and resiliency,’ however how a lot do groups actually take that into consideration? In the event you’re speaking toughness and resilience, he is the primary choose on this draft, the following yr and the next yr for what he endured at Texas.”
April 24-26: NFL draft
Lake Bridgeport is a few two-hour drive from Southlake. A household good friend’s home and celebration barn in Chico, Texas, would change into Ewers’ house for the three days of the NFL draft.
The setup grew to become one thing of a legend on social media with taxidermy mounts of all types of animals within the background. Ewers was in a position to land a bison that Friday throughout a hunt that took his thoughts away from soccer.
On Day 2 of the draft (Rounds 2 and three), 65 members of the family and mates, together with his dad and mom, sister and girlfriend, had been available. Hutchins Barbecue catered the night. The Texas Twinkies, massive jalapenos full of brisket and cream cheese and wrapped in bacon, had been successful.
Within the first spherical, quarterback Cam Ward went No. 1 to the Titans. Later, the Giants traded again into the primary spherical to take the second QB, Jaxson Dart, with the twenty fifth choose.
“The mindset [on Day 2] was Saints or Seahawks,” Slavin mentioned. “And we knew that if [Tyler Shough] went to the Browns at 33, Quinn’s in play at 40 with the Saints. After which if [Jalen] Milroe went to the Raiders, Quinn’s in play at 92 with [Seattle].”
Shough didn’t go to the Browns. The Saints took him at No. 40 in Spherical 2. Milroe did not go to the Raiders. He went to Seattle at No. 92.
So Ewers needed to wait. It grew to become excruciating.
Dillon Gabriel to the Browns in Spherical 3. Sanders to the Browns in Spherical 5. In Spherical 6, 5 extra quarterbacks went: Kyle McCord (Eagles), Will Howard (Steelers), Riley Leonard (Colts), Graham Mertz (Texans) and Cam Miller (Raiders). Technically, a sixth was picked, however the Raiders are transferring Montana State’s Tommy Mellott to receiver.
“The Raiders took two FCS guys above me, so …,” Ewers mentioned. “We’ll see what occurs.”
Slavin referred to as the situation a “nightmare.”
3:07
Fourth-and-13: Ewers relives the play that sparked CFP semifinal berth
Quinn Ewers breaks down how he received the CFP quarterfinal sport vs. Arizona State with a game-saving landing from fourth-and-13 and why this semifinal sport is a full circle second.
Because the picks glided by, one thought by no means entered Ewers’ thoughts: regretting not going again to varsity the place he may have made more cash with NIL by transferring to a different college. He mentioned on the mix he wished his legacy to be as a Texas quarterback.
“I wished to proceed on my profession path, and I do know I am prepared for the NFL,” Ewers mentioned. “I feel my sport suits the NFL higher than it does in school, actually. I am prepared for the following step.”
Slavin mentioned, logistically, coming into the portal to seek out one other college was “almost unimaginable” due to the timing.
“You may ask these questions, however the actuality of it’s the means the portal schedule is about, it was not attainable for Quinn as a result of he did not wish to be talked to concerning the portal,” Slavin mentioned. “After they beat Arizona State on Jan. 1, the following sport was Jan 10.
“If he was going to decide to Miami or Notre Dame, he is going to do this whereas his group’s received a playoff sport in per week? And his teammates are going to take a look at him like, ‘You are going to one other college if we lose?’ You may’t do this.”
Had the Longhorns misplaced to Arizona State, possibly coming into the portal would have been an choice, in line with Slavin, however they received on Ewers’ signature second — a fourth-and-13 landing move to Golden within the first time beyond regulation and a landing move in double time beyond regulation.
After the loss to Ohio State within the semifinal, the very last thing Ewers wished to debate was a switch.
“He wished to win a nationwide championship,” Slavin mentioned. “He wished to go away a legacy at Texas. Now it is alleged to be, ‘Do you wish to speak about going to a different college?’ To have the ability to flip your thoughts like that … plus the faculties wanted a solution on Jan. 1. They wanted to know who their man was going to be.”
Earlier than the seventh spherical, Slavin was speaking with two groups.
“At that time, it is getting him to the perfect place, so it was Cowboys and Dolphins,” Slavin mentioned.
In Spherical 7, the San Francisco 49ers took Kurtis Rourke, who’s coming off a torn proper ACL, at No. 227.
That life-changing name📱 @QuinnEwers x @MiamiDolphins pic.twitter.com/7YlOkR6SEY
— Texas Soccer (@TexasFootball) April 26, 2025
Lastly, Slavin received a textual content again from the Dolphins that they had been going to pick Ewers. The second of seeing his title flash on the tv display that he dreamed about as a child had arrived.
“Possibly not as excited, but it surely’s the identical alternative that each man that was drafted in entrance of me is getting,” Ewers mentioned.
The day after the draft, Slavin mentioned he reached out to “half the league” to seek out out what occurred.
“They thought he was a third- or fourth-round choose, however too massive of a reputation to be a clipboard holder,” Slavin mentioned. “Which I feel is chickens—.”
Mentioned one personnel chief, “There’s solely so many reps to go round for younger quarterbacks. You may justify it at different positions, however if you cannot get a quarterback the quantity of labor to develop him, you then’re virtually losing a choose.”
However Ewers now has the chance he at all times wished.
When he grew up throwing passes within the yard to his father, Curtis, dreaming of being an NFL quarterback, it was not tied to being the highest choose within the draft.
His mom, Kristen, would ask him what he wished to be when he grew up.
“And Quinn’s reply was at all times, ‘I wish to play within the NFL,'” she remarked earlier within the draft course of. “I might say, ‘OK, however what’s your Plan B?’ He’d say there is not a Plan B. So attending to see him dwell that out is a pleasure. Actually.”
Now, for the primary time in his soccer life, Ewers is an underdog.
Throughout his assembly with Jones, the Cowboys proprietor in contrast Ewers’ state of affairs to Tom Brady’s at Michigan, when he needed to cope with the hype surrounding wunderkind Drew Henson, with whom Brady needed to break up enjoying time as a senior. Brady was a sixth-round choose of the New England Patriots in 2000 and went on to win seven Tremendous Bowls.
No one is making that promise for Ewers, who subsequent week heads to Miami Gardens for the Dolphins’ rookie minicamp.
The ache from his knowledge enamel will subside.
The ache from the draft will linger.
“It is positively lots of motivation that comes with it, particularly simply being the final [quarterback] drafted,” Ewers mentioned. “I nonetheless have the excessive expectations for myself, however simply from the surface trying in, that is the primary time in my life to not have that a lot expectation. There’s positively motivation and gas. Numerous it.”
