There’s Something About Quinn Ewers

Despite thinking I would not like Texas’ quarterback (QB) Quinn Ewers before I started watching him on game film…

I ended up liking him a lot.

Urban Meyer could very well be right, what he said about Texas, because Ewers is primed for a breakout year.

I can’t believe I’m saying that out loud, let alone issuing the receipt, especially since he was so darn erratic early in my film study against Oklahoma State.

It’s a feeling and I’m going out on a limb.

There’s just something about Ewers – – something elite.

I’m going big on this one.

Loose cannon

That’s my affectionate nickname for Ewers.

It’s fitting.

I can’t say I’ve ever seen a QB who has looked pinpoint accurate half the time and wildly erratic the other of the time…but now I have.

The cannon part of the nickname is poetic as well, because he has one for a right arm.

For the record, Ewers overthrew more passes than I could count and fired several out of the end zone.

Made some “wow throws”

On the flip side of the coin, there were quite a few passes when he fit the ball into some very tight throwing windows.

I mean the kind of throwing windows that were boxed in by two – – even three defensive backs – – and there was no margin for error.

Ewers was making some BIG LEAGUE throws along the sidelines that caught my attention.

Why was Ewers so erratic?

It’s his mechanics (or lack thereof).

You can call it making off-platform throws, throwing sidearmed, or call it whatever you want…

Ewers is as orthodox of a thrower as I’ve seen.

He is also extremely instinctual.

It’s Ewers’ feel for things that is compensating for his lack of traditional mechanics.

By season’s end against Washington in the 2022 season finale, Ewers not only looked dramatically more comfortable than five games earlier against Oklahoma State, but his ball placement was far more on point.

It wasn’t perfect, but it was pretty darn good.

Ewers went 31-47 in that game for 369 yards and 1 touchdown (0 INT).

…to be continued

Aggressively attacks secondaries

One of the things I loved most about Ewers is how much he attacked secondaries at the intermediate to deep route levels.

Safeties have to hang out in centerfield when they line up against Ewers.

Sure, he’ll throw his share of nickel and dime short passes into the flats, but that’s not his bread and butter.

Ewers likes gunning it further downfield – – especially deep.

Not looking to run

Make no mistake, Ewers is a passer who doesn’t want to run unless he has to.

This is further illustrated by his 2022 rushing stats…

24 carries, -52 yards on the season.

#3 Quinn Ewers 6-foot-2, 206 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s Spring 2023 Grade: First-Round (I would select him)

Projected by 64.2% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of May 11, 2023 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

2022 game film reviewed: Oklahoma State, Alabama, TCU, Iowa State, Kansas State, Baylor, UL Monroe, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Washington (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

2022 stats: 172/296 (58.1%), 2177 yards, 15 TD, 6 INT, 11 sacks, long-49

2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Unconventional passer with a strong arm and a knack for making big-time throws. Ultimate off-platform and off-script QB who fits the NFL’s timeline. Relies on instincts. The team who drafts him needs to understand this. Aggressive nature. Strong presence. Comfortable in his own skin. Good ball handling and pocket mobility. Can get out of trouble and extend. Touch passer. Inconsistent release is what separates accuracy from inaccuracy. Throws some too early or too late. It almost seems like when he tries to rely on traditional mechanics he is inaccurate. At his best throwing without setting his feet. Didn’t always see the whole field. Ball touched by defenders 25 times in these 10 games. Best in the short range. Inconsistent intermediate and deep. Likes throwing shallow crossing routes, comebacks, and routes featuring breakpoints. Not afraid to sling it deep. Loosens up the run game. Takes what there is to take as a runner and he will take care of himself.

What to watch for during the 2023 college football season:

1. Does he pick up where he left off in the Washington game?

2. Timing of throws?

3. How often are defenders getting their hands on his throws?

4. How does his ball placement look intermediate and deep?

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock, and has written for Sports Illustrated Lions, Jets, and 49ers, as well as a featured guest on ESPN Radio and Fox Sports Radio. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. He can be followed on Twitter @firstroundmock.