The quarterbacks in the draft all had an eventful time. Some went as the top picks, but others came close to sliding off of the draft altogether. Texas QB and class of 2021 leader Quinn Ewers was one of them. However, the rookie NFLer, despite emerging as one of the winningest QBs of the Longhorns, has criticism following him into the pro leagues. HC Steve Sarkisian is standing strong by his former QB and sets the record about the value he brought to the program.

Ewers is the latest subject in the NIL-college football spectrum. He made $4.5 million in his 3 years at Texas, along with producing 9,128 yards and an impressive 68 TDs. Yet, he slid to the very end of the draft, going as pick 241 to Miami. Critics say the reason for his fall was because of his decision to not go back to college football and attempt the draft sometime later. Sarkisian, while on Josh Pate’s College Football Show, is exposing their hypocrisy, who think the QB made a mistake by forgoing the larger sum that awaited him back in CFB.

“Who are we to judge and criticize a young man who’s making a decision about his future? Who’s only done things the right way, to the best of his ability? Who gave everything he could to our program, and decided, ‘You know what? Now’s my time,’” Sarkisian declared. Ewers’ rookie contract of 4 years is around $4.33 million. But if he chose to forgo the draft and transfer to another portal, his NIL value was standing at a whopping $8 million. Sarkisian argued that the critics who once attacked Ewers for ditching Texas in his first year in CFB for a $1.4 million deal at Ohio State.

Credits: Imago

The HC acknowledged the value that Ewers brought to the program, taking it to newer heights during his tenure. “[We] owe a ton to Quinn,” he told Pate. Ewers leaves behind a career that’s dotted with some notable achievements: two playoff appearances and a Big 12 title. He even led the Longhorns to the SEC championship game in their first year in the conference. However, to Sarkisian, his legacy is more than just that. “[If] Quinn Ewers doesn’t come, I don’t know if the next five guys are coming, right? […] That was a huge deal for him, to want to come be part of our program. That he could see the force through the trees of about where we were headed as a program.”

Ewers was at an important crossroads in his career. He still had one year of eligibility left but also had to hand over the baton to his heir, Arch Manning, soon. He either had to transfer out or declare for the draft. When he chose the latter, Sarkisian said that critics were back at him for his decision. “All of a sudden, here’s Quinn Ewers, who decides not to go to another school to say, ‘You know what? I’ve left a legacy at the University of Texas. I’m going to go chase my dreams and fulfill my dreams of playing in the NFL.'” Going pro was an absolute gamble, but it looks like that risk will pay off sometime in the future.

Quinn Ewers stands a chance to recreate the arc of an iconic NFL underdog

CFB biggies like Notre Dame were all lined up in hopes of acquiring Ewers if he came back to the arena. But he was adamant his legacy be limited to that of Texas only and said ‘No, thank you,’ to offers ranging around $7.2 million. However, experts are of the opinion that Ewers’ arc in the NFL could turn out to be that of the remarkable Brock Purdy. Here’s how that stands to happen.

Ewers will initially sit out behind Tua Tagovailoa and Zach Wilson in the depth chart. But one expert from NFL Rookie Watch predicts a huge rise in his career. Some scouts believe that he has a “’good shot’ at ending up the QB1 at some point for Miami.” One scout likened his career to be “eerily similar” to that of Purdy. The 49ers QB started out somewhat deep in the depth chart too, after being picked right towards the end of the draft in 2022. But when the starters went down to injuries, Purdy stepped in, and there was no looking back in his pro career. From being a backup option, Purdy ended up leading the 49ers straight to an NFC championship.

“Tua [Tagovailoa] has shown the league he’s a wild-round QB. Eventually the franchise and fans will get tired of it. Ewers has some traits that could put him on the field,” read the experts’ opinion. If the opportunity presents itself for Ewers to shine, he will run with it to heights his critics did not imagine. Simply put, Ewers also stands as a potential wild card pick, except he can change things for the better.

Quinn Ewers has just started his pro career and has a long, long way to go until his first snap. But he chose football over money – a practice that’s becoming an alternative in college football these days. He had to give way to Arch Manning anyhow, and this was one option where he could still grow and build a name for himself. Sure, he left a fat paycheck behind for an uncertain future. But it holds some huge chances of advancement, which will fill the gap left behind by that sum’s loss.