With the announcement that Quinn Ewers is set to start his first NFL game in Week 16 against the Cincinnati Bengals, there is no better time to reflect on his college football career, a four-year journey across two programs that resulted in conference championship appearances in both the Big 12 and SEC, along with two College Football Playoff berths.
While a national title ultimately eluded him, a look at Ewers’ college stats showcases a quarterback who was both experienced and highly productive.
Quinn Ewers Arrives as One of the Greatest Recruits of All Time in First Season With Buckeyes
A unanimous five-star quarterback out of Southlake Carroll High School, Ewers entered college football with unprecedented expectations. Only Trevor Lawrence, Justin Fields, and Bryce Young were rated higher among quarterback prospects, and just 11 players across all positions have ever earned higher recruiting grades. In Texas high school history, only Walker Little and Myles Garrett were rated higher.
Originally the No. 1 player in the 2022 class, Ewers reclassified to 2021, skipping his senior season while still earning All-American honors, a Landry Award finalist nod, and multiple All-State recognitions. He enrolled early at Ohio State, choosing the Buckeyes over Alabama, Texas, and several other powerhouses.
After redshirting in Columbus, Ewers transferred to Texas ahead of the 2022 season, returning home to lead the Longhorns.
Ewers Flashes Brilliance in First Season at Texas
Named the starter entering the 2022 season, Ewers’ debut campaign was disrupted early by injury. After suffering a setback against Alabama in Week 2, he missed several games before returning against Oklahoma, where he led Texas to a historic 49–0 shutout.
Despite the injury, Ewers started 10 games and delivered one of the most productive freshman seasons in program history. He led Texas to six wins as a starter, tied for the third-most ever by a freshman quarterback, and finished the year with a streak of 116 consecutive passes without an interception.
His bowl performance capped the season in style, throwing for 369 yards, the third-most in a bowl game in Texas history.
- PFSN College QBi Score: 75.4
- Completions: 172
- Attempts: 296
- Completion %: 58.1
- Passing Yards: 2,177
- Passing TDs: 15
- INTs: 6
- Rush Attempts: 24
- Rush Yards: -52
- Rush TDs: 1
Breakout Redshirt Sophomore Campaign and Big 12 Title
Ewers took a significant leap in 2023, firmly establishing himself as one of the nation’s top quarterbacks. Starting all 12 games, he completed 69.0% of his passes for 3,479 yards and 22 touchdowns, while adding five rushing scores.
The season featured several defining moments, including Texas’s first road win over an AP Top-3 team, snapping Alabama’s 21-game home winning streak.
Ewers saved his best performance for the Big 12 Championship Game, where he shredded Oklahoma State for 452 yards and four touchdowns, earning Most Outstanding Player honors. Texas advanced to the College Football Playoff, falling to Washington in a tightly contested Sugar Bowl semifinal.
- PFSN College QBi Score: 81.9
- Completions: 272
- Attempts: 394
- Completion %: 69.0
- Passing Yards: 3,479
- Passing TDs: 22
- INTs: 6
- Rush Attempts: 59
- Rush Yards: 75
- Rush TDs: 5
Leading Texas Into the SEC and Another CFP Run
Ewers’ redshirt junior season came with immense expectations as Texas transitioned into the SEC. Entering the year, he earned preseason All-America honors and landed on every major quarterback award watch list.
On the field, he delivered again, throwing for 3,472 yards and a career-high 31 touchdowns while leading Texas to an 11–1 regular season and an SEC Championship Game appearance in the program’s first year in the conference.
Despite a narrow loss to Georgia in the title game, Ewers guided Texas through another CFP run, defeating Clemson and Arizona State before falling to Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl semifinal in a revenge matchup against his former school.
By the end of the season, Ewers ranked third all-time at Texas in both career passing yards and passing touchdowns.
- PFSN College QBi Score: 74.2
- Completions: 293
- Attempts: 445
- Completion %: 65.8
- Passing Yards: 3,472
- Passing TDs: 31
- INTs: 12
- Rush Attempts: 57
- Rush Yards: -82
- Rush TDs: 2
A College Career Defined by Consistency and Championships
Across four seasons, Quinn Ewers’ college career was defined by elite pedigree, steady growth, and winning at the highest level. He led Texas to conference championship games in two different leagues, reached the College Football Playoff twice, and finished as one of the most productive quarterbacks in program history.
Now, as he prepares to make his first NFL start with the Miami Dolphins, Ewers’ college résumé stands as proof of a quarterback ready for the next stage, forged by pressure, expectations, and consistent production on college football’s biggest stages.
