In the summer of 2021, Quinn Ewers, the nation’s top-ranked high school football recruit, made a significant move by joining Ohio State University’s football program. This decision marked a major recruiting success for the university, as Ewers had previously backed out of his commitment to play for the Texas Longhorns just a year earlier.
Ewers, a talented teenage quarterback from the Dallas area, was now poised to contribute to Ohio State’s pursuit of a national championship in college football. Fast forward three years, and Ohio State’s impressive victories in the College Football Playoff have secured them a spot in the semifinals to be held in Arlington, Texas. Ewers, now playing for Texas, is just two wins away from a shot at the national title.
The upcoming matchup between Ohio State and Texas carries high stakes, with both teams eager to end their respective title droughts. Texas last won a national championship in 2005, while Ohio State’s most recent title victory was in 2014. The winner of this game will advance to the national championship in Atlanta to face the victor of the Penn State vs. Notre Dame semifinal.
Despite the intensity of the competition, Ewers maintains positive relationships with individuals at Ohio State and feels a sense of connection with the university. His journey also reflects the changing landscape of college athletics, particularly with regards to NCAA regulations on name, image, and likeness (NIL) compensation.
Ewers’ decision to graduate early and enroll at Ohio State was partly influenced by the opportunity to benefit from NIL payments, which high school athletes in Texas were not allowed to receive at the time. By accelerating his path to college, Ewers aimed to capitalize on this opportunity for himself and his family. Alongside his athletic pursuits, Ewers also secured his first endorsement deal with a kombucha company shortly before beginning his college career at Ohio State.
Company. According to ESPN, Ewers recently secured an NIL agreement with a sports marketing entity valued at $1.4 million spread over three years. After a brief stint of less than three months and a single semester at Ohio State, Ewers opted to transfer to Texas to join forces with the Longhorns’ newly appointed head coach, Steve Sarkisian. In explaining his decision to return to Texas, Ewers cited his desire to be in proximity to his roots and the familiar network of support and connections he has cultivated over time in his home state.
Having held the position of starting quarterback for the Longhorns over the last three seasons, Ewers has capitalized on his affiliations, striking lucrative deals as part of the burgeoning landscape of NIL agreements in college sports. Reports indicate that Ewers has inked up to 25 NIL contracts, partnering with companies spanning various industries, such as tea producers, video game developers, jerky manufacturers, and a streaming service.
Ewers’ narrative may be poised for another intriguing turn. Recent reports from On3 suggest that Ewers, with the option to declare for the NFL draft, has been extended a staggering $6 million offer by an undisclosed institution to enter the NCAA’s transfer portal, enabling him to prolong his collegiate career at a different program for an additional season. From a financial standpoint, Ewers emerges as a notable benefactor of the evolving landscape of college athletics, seeking to reinforce his position as a major player in the quest for college football’s ultimate prize at the College Football Playoff. Nevertheless, a significant obstacle looms in the form of his former team.
