Texas' Quinn Ewers to Return for 2024 CFB Season, Forgo NFL Draft

Quinn Ewers isn't done with college football.

The Texas quarterback announced he is returning to school and forgoing the 2024 NFL draft on Thursday.

There was plenty of speculation that Ewers might return to the Longhorns during the 2023 campaign. In fact, Bobby Burton of On3.com cited sources in November who said he was "90-percent" likely to come back.

ESPN's Pete Thamel reported at the same time there was "a long way to go" as the signal-caller weighed his different options.

It wasn't difficult to make the case for Ewers returning with Caleb Williams and Drake Maye widely seen as the top two quarterbacks in the 2024 draft. Ewers would have likely been battling for position with the secondary group of players at the position ahead of this year's draft.

Another year of school gives him the chance to lead Texas to a national title after losing in the College Football Playoff, compete for a Heisman Trophy, play against SEC competition with the Longhorns' move, perhaps bolster his own stock for the 2025 NFL draft, and even collect on name, image and likeness opportunities.

And that is exactly what he will do.

Ewers started his collegiate career as one of the most highly regarded recruits in recent history. He was the No. 1 overall player of the 2021 class, per 247Sports' composite rankings, and committed to Ohio State, although he transferred to Texas ahead of the 2022 campaign.

His first season with the Longhorns was an up-and-down one, as they finished with an 8-5 record while he completed 58.1 percent of his passes for 2,177 yards, 15 touchdowns and six interceptions.

There was no shortage of pressure on Ewers entering the 2023 campaign with the presence of Maalik Murphy and arrival of Arch Manning—the nephew of NFL legends Peyton and Eli Manning—behind him on the depth chart.

Yet he responded admirably and led the Longhorns to an early win over Alabama. While he missed some time with a shoulder injury, he returned and helped his team reach the CFP while completing 69 percent of his passes for 3,479 yards, 22 touchdowns and six interceptions.

The next level will have to wait, as Ewers will once again be leading the Texas offense in 2024.