Quinn Ewers’ Agent Blasts NFL Teams for Letting Texas Longhorns Star Slip Through Draft After Stellar College Career

Quinn Ewers, once hailed as the golden-armed prodigy destined for NFL stardom, has found himself at the center of controversy—not for his performance on the field, but for what happened off of it. After going undrafted in the 2025 NFL Draft, Ewers’ agent issued a scathing rebuke of NFL franchises, calling the quarterback’s slide out of all seven rounds “an absolute travesty” and “a glaring failure by NFL evaluators.” The comments have sparked heated debates across the football world and raised questions about how the NFL assesses talent beyond the stat sheet.

Ewers, who led the Texas Longhorns to the College Football Playoff and delivered some of the most electrifying performances in recent program history, was expected by many to be a mid-round pick. While he didn’t declare for the draft amid a flood of first-round buzz like Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, or Jayden Daniels, Ewers’ blend of arm talent, experience against elite defenses, and growth in 2024 had him firmly on many analysts’ radars. The fact that he remained undrafted wasn’t just surprising—it was downright shocking to some within the industry.

That shock turned into fury in the voice of Ewers’ longtime agent, Marcus Leigh, who did not mince words during a post-draft media appearance in Dallas. “This is a league that claims to want leaders, toughness, high-character players who can read a defense and make every throw,” Leigh said. “You’re telling me Quinn Ewers doesn’t check those boxes? You’re telling me NFL teams would rather waste picks on developmental projects than take a proven winner from a program that played in the College Football Playoff?”

Leigh’s comments point to a growing frustration among those who represent players that may not fit the prototypical mold or who have gone through the media ringer in unconventional ways. Ewers’ path has been anything but linear. A former No. 1 overall recruit in the Class of 2021, he initially enrolled at Ohio State before transferring to Texas, where he found both a home and a fanbase that believed in his potential. Though injuries marred parts of his early career in Austin, his 2024 season was, by most measures, his best yet. He threw for over 3,400 yards with 29 touchdowns and just seven interceptions, showing improved poise, accuracy, and command of Steve Sarkisian’s offense.

Critics of Ewers often point to his inconsistent mechanics or early struggles as reasons for caution. But Leigh believes that narrative has unfairly clung to his client, even as he proved himself on the field. “Let’s talk about growth. Let’s talk about what Quinn did in the offseason—reworking his delivery, refining his footwork, and stepping up as a captain,” Leigh said. “Not to mention the fact he outplayed multiple quarterbacks who did get drafted.”

Indeed, comparisons between Ewers and some of the late-round quarterbacks taken in this year’s draft are already circulating online. Several teams used picks on players with far less production against Power Five competition. The New York Jets, for example, drafted a quarterback from a Group of Five school who threw just 18 touchdowns last season. Meanwhile, Ewers led Texas to wins over Alabama and Oklahoma State and hung tough against Washington in a gritty national semifinal performance.

Texas fans have been vocal in their support of Ewers following the snub, flooding social media with highlight reels and messages of encouragement. Some believe the decision to stay in college an extra year—while great for Texas—may have hurt his draft stock, as younger, flashier prospects rose up the boards. But to Leigh, that reasoning doesn’t hold water. “If we’re punishing kids for staying in school and developing, then what message are we sending to college athletes?” he said. “Quinn made the mature decision to keep growing, and now teams are acting like that’s a red flag?”

Sources close to several NFL teams claim the concerns around Ewers centered on his long-term upside, injury history, and questions about whether he possesses elite athletic traits in today’s rapidly evolving NFL. One scout anonymously told a national outlet that Ewers “didn’t pop on tape the same way others did” and that his mobility “raised questions about his fit in certain schemes.” But Leigh called that kind of feedback “lazy and outdated.”

“What happened to the days when accuracy, anticipation, and leadership mattered more than running a 4.5?” Leigh asked. “Quinn’s not trying to be Lamar Jackson. He’s trying to be Joe Burrow. And there’s absolutely a place in this league for quarterbacks like that.”

There may still be an NFL future for Ewers, who is expected to sign with a team as an undrafted free agent. Several franchises have reportedly reached out, and Leigh confirmed that they are evaluating the best landing spot for his client. But the agent made clear that the draft outcome wouldn’t soon be forgotten. “A lot of teams are going to regret this,” he warned. “Quinn is going to walk into somebody’s camp, compete his tail off, and show the world what they missed.”

Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian also weighed in subtly during a recent press conference. While careful not to directly criticize NFL teams, Sarkisian called Ewers “one of the toughest and most dedicated players” he’s ever coached. “What Quinn did for this program, especially in 2024, speaks for itself,” he said. “He’s going to succeed at the next level because he has all the tools—physical and mental.”

Ewers himself has yet to speak publicly about the draft. Friends and former teammates say he’s staying focused and humble, taking the setback in stride and using it as motivation. One source close to the quarterback said he’s “more fired up than ever” and that he’s eager to prove his doubters wrong.

It’s not the first time Ewers has faced adversity. From the weight of being a top recruit to the scrutiny of switching schools, he’s had to navigate an unusually bright spotlight for someone his age. Yet through it all, he’s remained composed, often letting his play do the talking. Leigh, however, has taken up the role of mouthpiece this time, pushing back on a system he feels is flawed.

“You want to talk about adversity? Quinn’s lived it. He’s battled through the noise, the injuries, the expectations,” Leigh said. “And he still came out the other side a better player and a better person. That’s who I want leading a locker room.”

The situation also underscores the increasing volatility of the NFL Draft process, where analytics, private workouts, and psychological testing can sometimes override game tape and performance under pressure. For every perceived reach in the draft, there’s a slide that defies explanation. And for Quinn Ewers, the slide has now become a rallying cry.

There are echoes of other draft-day shockers in Ewers’ story. Players like Tom Brady, Kurt Warner, and Tony Romo all went undrafted or taken late, only to become household names. While Ewers isn’t being compared to those legends just yet, the disappointment of going undrafted could serve as the fuel that ignites his next chapter.

Leigh believes Ewers’ journey is far from over. “He’s got the mindset of a warrior,” he said. “He doesn’t need a draft pick to validate him. What he needs is a chance.”

That chance may be just around the corner. As rookie minicamps get underway, and as quarterback rooms around the NFL start to shape up, all it takes is one coach, one GM, one franchise to see what Texas fans have seen for the last three years: a quarterback with poise, polish, and potential. A quarterback who’s ready to lead.

And if Leigh is right, that opportunity will come with a bonus—a massive chip on Quinn Ewers’ shoulder.