ESPN SHOCKER: Texas Longhorns QB Quinn Ewers Stuns College Football World—Declines $4.5M NIL Deal from Georgia to Succeed Carson Beck!
In an era where name, image, and likeness (NIL) money often dictates the fate of college football rosters, Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers has made a headline-grabbing decision that’s sending shockwaves through the sport. According to an ESPN report, Ewers turned down a staggering $4.5 million NIL offer from the University of Georgia—a deal that would have made him one of the highest-paid college athletes in the country.
The deal, reportedly crafted with the intention of positioning Ewers as the immediate successor to outgoing Bulldogs quarterback Carson Beck, was described by insiders as “virtually done” before the Texas QB backed away. The offer was said to include a mix of NIL endorsements, performance bonuses, and guaranteed payments from a group of Georgia-aligned collectives, all designed to lure the high-profile signal-caller to Athens.
But in a twist that stunned the college football landscape, Ewers chose loyalty to Texas over the money and prestige of playing for the defending national champions.
Even more shocking: sources also revealed that Ewers declined exploratory overtures from the Miami Dolphins, who reportedly gauged his interest in leaving college early for an NFL opportunity. Though legally complicated and not a formal contract due to NFL eligibility rules, the Dolphins were reportedly prepared to explore a massive NIL-style endorsement bridge deal worth north of $6 million, via affiliated sponsors, if Ewers declared and became available through a draft-eligibility loophole. Ewers said no.
This isn’t the first time Ewers has been in the national spotlight for his financial decisions. In December 2024, he secured $2.1 million in NIL deals from a Texas-based consortium after leading the Longhorns to the College Football Playoff semifinal. Many assumed the sophomore phenom might “cash out” while his stock was high. Instead, Ewers doubled down—committing himself to head coach Steve Sarkisian’s program for another season and citing “unfinished business” in Austin.
“I’m a Texas Longhorn. That’s not changing,” Ewers told ESPN’s Pete Thamel. “I came here to win a national championship for this school and this state. The money is great, but legacy is forever.”
His words have lit a fire in a college football world increasingly skeptical of players’ motivations amid the wild-west landscape of NIL deals, transfer portal musical chairs, and brand-hopping. Social media exploded within minutes of the report, with fans, pundits, and former players lauding Ewers’ decision as a refreshing example of loyalty and grit in an increasingly commercialized sport.
Former NFL quarterback and Texas alum Vince Young tweeted:
> “LEGENDARY move by Quinn. You don’t build statues with money—you build ‘em with heart and WINS. Let’s go!”
Ewers’ decision has far-reaching implications. For Georgia, it’s a rare and very public recruiting miss, especially as they transition out of the Carson Beck era and look to maintain dominance in the SEC. Ewers was seen as a perfect plug-and-play replacement who could keep the Bulldogs in title contention. For Texas, his return solidifies their quarterback position heading into the 2025 season, where they’re expected to be a top-five preseason team and serious national championship contender.
The move also adds to the growing conversation about how NIL deals are influencing, or perhaps distorting, player development and commitment. Ewers’ decision defies a trend that has seen players bounce from program to program chasing the largest dollar signs—often with mixed results on the field.
Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian praised his quarterback’s maturity and leadership.
> “Quinn’s decision speaks volumes about who he is. He’s not just a talented quarterback—he’s a culture setter,” Sarkisian said. “This shows our locker room what it means to build something bigger than yourself.”
At just 22 years old, Ewers is proving that substance still matters in college football. Though he may have turned down a fortune for now, experts suggest his NFL stock could soar even higher next season if he leads Texas deep into the postseason or wins the Heisman—a distinct possibility given his trajectory and the talent returning to the Longhorns roster.
In a time where loyalty is rare and money talks louder than ever, Quinn Ewers is letting his actions speak for themselves. And those actions are echoing far beyond the Forty Acres.
In choosing legacy over dollars, team over personal gain, and Austin over Athens (and possibly Miami), Quinn Ewers may have just redefined what leadership looks like in the NIL era.
