Latest news with #Ewers
USA Today
5 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Paul Finebaum shares blunt opinion on former Texas QB1 Quinn Ewers
Paul Finebaum shares blunt opinion on former Texas QB1 Quinn Ewers Did Quinn Ewers impress anyone? Paul Finebaum doesn't think so. ESPN analyst Paul Finebaum did not mince words when discussing former Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers, saying the signal-caller failed to impress during his final season in Austin and predicting the program will see a significant upgrade under new starter Arch Manning. 'The guy that was there last year didn't impress me,' Finebaum said during his show Wednesday. 'He didn't impress anyone' Ewers, who was once one of college football's most high-profile athletes and appeared on the cover of 'EA Sports College Football 25,' completed 65.8 percent of his passes for 3,472 yards, 31 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 14 games last season. However, the Longhorns fell short of a national championship, and Ewers' struggles in big moments — including a costly fumble in the Cotton Bowl loss to Ohio State — drew increased scrutiny. His underwhelming finish led to a slide in the 2025 NFL Draft, where he was selected in the seventh round. Finebaum's guest, Cedric Golden of the Austin American-Statesman, offered high praise for Manning, calling him potentially the best Texas quarterback since Colt McCoy. 'I think he's going to be the best quarterback at Texas since Colt McCoy,' Golden said. 'And Colt McCoy had a hell of a career at Texas, those numbers don't lie. So, I do think he's the next great quarterback at Texas after VY (Vince Young) and Colt." The transition from Ewers to Manning has fueled debate among fans and analysts, with Finebaum questioning head coach Steve Sarkisian's decision to stick with Ewers during the Cotton Bowl. 'There is nothing finer than Arch Manning starting at Texas. It's long overdue,' Finebaum said on ESPN College Football. As the Arch Manning era begins, comparisons between the two quarterbacks are expected to continue, with the Longhorns and their fans hoping Manning can deliver where Ewers fell short.
Time of India
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Miami Dolphins are counting on Zach Wilson as Tua Tagovailoa's backup despite past struggles
Wilson to lead Dolphins' backup QB role this season (Image via: Getty Images) The Miami Dolphins are placing a controversial bet by entrusting Zach Wilson, once branded a draft bust by New York Jets fans with a critical backup quarterback role. With starter Tua Tagovailoa's injury woes continuing to loom large, Miami's hopes for offensive stability may rest heavily on a player whose NFL career has been anything but smooth. But is Wilson truly the answer, or just another gamble destined to backfire? Why Zach Wilson is the Dolphins ' backup QB for now — NFL (@NFL) When the Dolphins drafted Wilson from the Jets' rubble, fans and analysts alike were skeptical. After all, Wilson's highly touted potential seemed to evaporate under the intense pressure of the NFL spotlight. He was a No. 2 overall pick with a rocket arm but inconsistent decision-making and mounting turnovers tainted his early years. Despite that, Miami is banking on him to be their immediate contingency plan if Tua goes down again. The alternative is Quinn Ewers, Miami's seventh-round pick out of Texas, who has yet to prove he belongs in the league. Dolphins beat writer Alain Poupart recently addressed this debate in a mailbag Q&A, emphatically stating Ewers won't supplant Wilson anytime soon. "It's absolutely Wilson's job to lose," Poupart insisted, the Dolphins aren't ready to roll the dice on a rookie who's still raw and lacks NFL seasoning. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Wilson's arm talent and experience, even if underwhelming, make him the safer choice in Miami's eyes. Ewers, once a five-star recruit, now struggles with a comparatively weaker arm and zero pro experience, a risky proposition given the Dolphins' championship aspirations. While Ewers might develop into a reliable backup down the line, the immediate future demands someone who can manage the offense competently at the drop of a hat. Yet, this decision leaves Miami fans uneasy. Wilson's history of underperformance is well-documented, and his stint with the Jets was riddled with questionable throws and poor field awareness. Also Read: Cleveland Browns QB battle 2025: Dillon Gabriel, Shedeur Sanders, and Cade Klubnik's impact on the franchise future For now, the Dolphins want Tagovailoa under center as much as possible. But when injuries strike, the team expects Wilson to step in seamlessly, or risk another year of offensive instability. It's a high-stakes gamble on a player who has more to prove than most, and the NFL world will be watching closely to see if Miami's faith in Wilson is redemption or another costly mistake. Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
NFL QB sends strong message after losing NIL millions
When Quinn Ewers heard his name called with the 231st pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, critics didn't hesitate to pile on. He had reportedly turned down an $8 million NIL offer to transfer out of Texas. Instead, he opted for the NFL, where seventh-round picks aren't exactly showered with signing bonuses. But Ewers didn't flinch. And now, he's finding ways to flip the script. Advertisement The Miami Dolphins rookie quarterback just inked a $3 million exclusive trading card deal with Panini America, a move that immediately softens the blow of his rookie contract—worth $4.3 million over four years, with only $84,000 in base salary his first season. It's a reminder that the power of a name doesn't vanish after a player leaves college. 'Skipping my senior year to enroll at Ohio State early… then decide to go back to my home state of Texas, and really, turn around a program that hadn't really won anything in years, consistently—that's unconventional,' Ewers told On3. Unconventional is putting it lightly. After throwing for 9,218 yards and 68 touchdowns at Texas, Ewers left with a $4.5 million NIL valuation, and speculation swirled that Miami and Duke were among teams willing to offer him up to $4 million to transfer. Had he stayed, sources say his NIL payout could have reached $8 million in 2025. Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers (3) leaves the field after defeating the Clemson Tigers in the first round of the College Football Playoffs at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial E. Martinez/USA T But Ewers' focus wasn't on safe bets. It was legacy—and longevity. Advertisement Now, with a major endorsement in hand and more likely on the way, Ewers is showing young athletes that the leap to the NFL doesn't have to mean leaving money on the table. It just takes vision, strategy, and a brand worth betting on. Quinn Ewers is still making his name pay—even if it's not the way most expected. And as more college stars weigh the balance between NIL riches and NFL dreams, Ewers may become the blueprint for bouncing back. Related: Big Ten coach calls NIL spending 'insanity' — but sees opportunity Related: Jeremiah Smith's $4M NIL valuation continues to rise with new deal
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Josh Pate Sends Strong Message on Quinn Ewers' NFL Draft Decision
Instead of returning to the Texas Longhorns for another season, Quinn Ewers turned a massive amount of NIL and declared for the 2025 NFL Draft. 247Sports' Chip Brown reported that Ewers could have made $8 million in NIL money to stay for another season. On a recent episode of "Josh Pate's College Football Show," Josh Pate had a message for those giving Ewers grief for leaving early. Advertisement Pate believed legacy mattered more than anything to Ewers, despite how much money the Texas star could have made. He pointed to the change in the standard of staying at one school throughout college, whereas players can now transfer and attend multiple schools. Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers (3). Brett Davis-Imagn Images "Might I use the L word here? Pate asked. "No one knows where I'm going. Legacy. Legacy matters. You've always taken it for granted because, up until about ten minutes ago, guys have played and finished their career at one school. But that's becoming less and less of a norm, especially at his position." Pate further explained the importance of having the title of former Texas quarterback tied to Ewers' name over time. Advertisement "Do you know over the next 30 years, how much it's worth to Quinn Ewers on the speaking circuit, at public events and functions, to be able to market himself as a legacy former Texas quarterback and nothing else? Pate said. "Just Texas quarterback. Because maybe not one year, but over the next several years, that's worth a heck of a lot more than $4 million dollars." Ewers initially started his college career with the Ohio State Buckeyes in 2021. He was the top overall prospect and quarterback in the 2021 class via the On3 Industry Rankings. After not receiving adequate playing time, he transferred to Texas, where he spent three seasons. Ewers accounted for 9,128 passing yards, 68 touchdowns and 24 interceptions from 2022-24. The Miami Dolphins eventually took Ewers in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Related: Former Texas WR Johntay Cook Predicted to Land With Unexpected ACC Program
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Texas Adds 1,600-Yard Transfer QB to Backup Arch Manning
With Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers being drafted, the spotlight is now on Arch Manning. The Longhorns went into the portal and found a backup for Manning on Sunday, as On3's Pete Nakos reported, Troy quarterback Matthew Caldwell was transferring to Texas. Advertisement Manning saw starting action for Texas in 2024. He first came in for the injured Ewers against UTSA and then started in the UL Monroe and Mississippi State Bulldogs games. Ewers suffered a torn oblique versus the Michigan Wolverines in Week 2 and played in the following game against UTSA. However, the injury worsened during the UTSA game, and Ewers was forced to exit. Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16). © Brett Davis-Imagn Images Caldwell was the No. 246 quarterback in the On3 Transfer Portal Industry Rankings. He joins a Texas transfer class highlighted by defensive lineman Cole Brevard (Purdue), defensive lineman Travis Shaw (North Carolina), receiver Emmett Mosely (Stanford) and linebacker Brad Spence (Arkansas). Advertisement Caldwell did not start for Troy until the last five games of the regular season. Troy had many different starting quarterbacks last season, with Tucker Kilcrease and Will Crowder also seeing consistent minutes. Caldwell played in 10 games last season, throwing for 1,608 passing yards, 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Now at Texas, he joins a quarterback room that includes Manning, Trey Owens, Joe Tatum and Karle Lacey Jr. Texas finished the regular season 11-1 to clinch a spot in the SEC Championship Game. The Longhorns lost to the Georgia Bulldogs in overtime, 22-19. After the conference title game, Texas was the No. 5 seed in the College Football Playoff and reached the semifinal. The Longhorns lost to the eventual national champion, the Ohio State Buckeyes. Texas opens the 2025 season against Ohio State on Aug. 30. Related: Texas' Blue-Chip Count in 2026 Revealed
