Quinn Ewers would have been the most sought-after quarterback in the college transfer portal had he not declared for the 2025 NFL Draft. Three rounds have been completed, and Ewers has yet to hear his name called.
Ewers was the nation’s top overall recruit in 2021 and has impressed enough in his college career to guarantee a spot in the league. But on a day when Tyler Shough and Dillon Gabriel were picked on Day 2, let’s explore why Ewers fell into Day 3 of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Quinn Ewers Red Flags: Inconsistency and Injury Issues
After a year playing for Ohio State, Ewers announced his decision to transfer to Texas in December 2021 and was named the Longhorns’ starter in 2022.
In the following season, Ewers led his team to the Big 12 Championship game, setting the record for the most passing yards in a single conference championship game for the Big 12 Conference. He was also honored with the MVP for the conference title.
In 2024, Ewers had a comparatively better season, helping the Longhorns to a 13-3 campaign in their SEC debut. They also qualified for the 12-team playoffs, losing to Ohio State in the semifinal. Despite missing a few games due to an injury, Ewers finished with a total of 3,472 yards and 31 TD passes.
He struggled to live up to the expectations coming out of high school, and his inconsistency and injury history have likely caused the QB to fall to Day 3.
“Ewers’ execution on a down-to-down basis is very inconsistent, and much of it stems from his mechanics. While he’s fluid and flexible as a thrower, he also has a frustratingly lax, free-styling mechanical nature that can run counter to optimal timing and alignment,” PFSN’s scouting report reads. “While Ewers’ arm elasticity can correct imperfect mechanics to a degree, his accuracy to all thirds can be inconsistent because of his lacking base discipline.”
“Additionally, as a processor, his progression work and anticipation also require more consistency. Because he’s not an elite athlete or creative threat, Ewers needs to refine his operational game and learn to play with more mechanical control and intent.”
Ewers has decent height, but is around average size overall and lacks high-end mass. He lacks elite creation capacity and movement freedom and is a bit stiff and high-hipped. His arm strength, while very good, isn’t quite elite, as deep passes lose pace at times. His mechanics are undisciplined, and pressure easily erodes mechanical control.
His lack of mechanical control and lower-body discipline can lead to scattershot accuracy. Ewers’ lackadaisical dropback footwork can cause delays in pressure reaction and slides. His footwork can become segmented and uncoordinated when faced with pressure. His lack of consistent lower-body drive can increase the risk of tight-window throws. A concave elbow on release can sometimes push passes too high, missing targets.
Also, his field vision is questionable, and his patience and pacing on progression work can improve. On occasion, he will attempt to force ill-advised throws early in reps with his arm.
Another factor affecting his slide into Day 3 is the fact that he has never played a full season of college football due to injuries, missing two games in 2024 due to an abdominal strain.
Although injury issues are a considerably smaller factor here, his inconsistent execution has largely caused him to fall into Day 3.
Nevertheless, with this draft class short on QB talent and with Ewers yet to live up to the full potential he showed in high school, he is likely to be picked in the fourth or fifth round.