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Pete Thamel, ESPN
The likelihood of star quarterback Quinn Ewers returning to Texas and playing a fourth season of college football has increased dramatically in the past few weeks, sources told ESPN.
Ewers, 20, will make his 21st college career start Saturday in the Big 12 title game. Sources told ESPN that feeling in his camp is growing that another year of development would put him in the best position for long-term success in the NFL American.
A decision on Ewers’ intentions for 2024 could come as early as next week, sources said. Part of his timing is expected to be tied to the NCAA transfer portal, which opens Monday. Ewers’ return would be an enticement for top stars, especially at wide receiver, to come to Texas and play for him.
Ewers entered college early, choosing Ohio State in 2021 rather than play his senior year of high school at Southlake Carroll in the Dallas area. Ewers played sparingly behind C.J. Stroud at Ohio State and transferred after the season. He won the starting job at Texas in 2022 but is still short of 25 starts, which is considered a demarcation line for NFL success for college quarterbacks.
Ewers compiled an outstanding redshirt sophomore season at Texas, leading the Big 12 with a 69.8% completion percentage. He led Texas to one of the most impressive wins in the sport this season, throwing for 349 yards and three touchdowns in a 34-24 win at Alabama in September. That game impressed NFL evaluators because of the opponent, venue and stage.
Ewers is averaging 270.9 yards per game, second in the Big 12. He has thrown for 2,709 yards on the season and has a chance to surpass 3,000 yards against Oklahoma State in the Big 12 title game on Saturday.
He has thrown 17 touchdowns this season and just five interceptions. Ewers has been slowed by injury, as he missed two games after suffering a Grade 2 joint sprain in his shoulder in late October.
One hint about Ewers’ possible return to Texas has surfaced online. He follows on social media some of the top players who have declared their intentions to the NCAA transfer portal, including South Carolina wide receiver Gus Wells and Purdue’s Dion Burks. He also follows Texas A&M’s Evan Stewart, a high-end receiver who would be one of the most coveted players in the portal if he gets in.
If Ewers returns in 2024, he will rise to the top of the 2025 NFL Draft class and be in the conversation for the No. 1 pick. He is expected to have a dozen more starts and could help secure his legacy at Texas by leading the school to its first season in the SEC.
The 2025 NFL Draft class is considered fairly bleak overall by scouts, both in terms of overall high-end talent and depth at quarterback. By contrast, scouts consider the 2024 NFL Draft to be a once-in-a-decade class of quarterbacks, with two prospects long considered locks to go in the top five — USC’s Caleb Williams and USC’s Drake Maye. North Carolina State – And a strong debate over who could be the third quarterback selected.
Ewers has been part of that discussion, but he may exit it if he announces his intention to return.
