The 2024 NFL Draft is just over a month away. While players can't add to their game tape anymore, draft-eligible prospects do have a couple of last-minute events to raise their draft stock.
Pro days are one of those. These competitions typically take place in front of a large number of NFL scouts and front office members, giving draftees a chance to catch a team's eye in hopes that it will result in a draft selection.
Texas is holding its Pro Day on Wednesday at Denius Fields, where several potential draft selections are set to show out in front of NFL personnel. However, there is one name participating that may cause some confusion — quarterback Quinn Ewers.
The redshirt sophomore quarterback finished up his second season as the Longhorns' starter. He helped Texas win the Big 12 championship, earning the program a spot in the College Football Playoff. However, Texas fell to Washington in the 2024 Sugar Bowl, losing out on the chance to compete for a national championship.
Ewers is going to be back as the Longhorns' starting quarterback in the fall, so why is he throwing at Texas' Pro Day? The Sporting News explains.
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Why is Quinn Ewers throwing at Texas' Pro Day?
It's never too early to show out in front of scouts, and that's exactly what Ewers is doing.
The Texas quarterback is not going to be a part of the 2024 NFL Draft class, as the redshirt sophomore is electing to go back to school for the 2024-25 season. However, he is taking advantage of the chance to display his arm in front of groups of NFL personnel, a year before he will presumably declare for the 2025 NFL Draft.
Never too early to make an impression on NFL teams. QB Quinn Ewers will throw at Texas’ pro day today, a year ahead of when he’ll be jockeying for position in the 2025 NFL Draft. So coaches and scouts will get an advance look. pic.twitter.com/tx0qduo0mp
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 20, 2024
Ewers is throwing to a number of his soon-to-be-former teammates at the Longhorns' Pro Day on Wednesday. Among the draft-eligible weapons coming out of Texas include wide receivers Adonai Mitchell and Xavier Worthy, both of whom are expected to be first-round selections.
Throwing to a pair of potential first-round picks is likely better for Ewers' long-term prospects, as his Pro Day receivers next season might not be as talented.
Can Quinn Ewers enter the 2024 NFL draft?
Ewers was eligible for the 2024 NFL Draft, but the deadline has passed for him to enter it. He is coming off his third year in the NCAA, and he still has two more years of eligibility.
While he could have declared for this year's draft, Ewers is instead going back to Texas for another year. Not only will it allow the quarterback to develop more and build his draft stock, but he will also be headlining a weaker QB draft class in 2025.
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If Ewers had declared for the 2024 NFL Draft, he would have most certainly not been the first quarterback selected. USC's Caleb Williams, LSU's Jayden Daniels, and UNC's Drake Maye have long solidified themselves at the top of a loaded quarterback class.
However, the 2025 NFL Draft is a bit weaker, especially when it comes to the QB position. Ewers should compete to be the top quarterback in next year's class along with Colorado's Shedeur Sanders, Georgia's Carson Beck, Texas A&M's Connor Weigman, and Penn State's Drew Allar.