AUSTIN (KXAN) — One of the biggest questions surrounding the quarterback class in the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft is where Texas three-year starter Quinn Ewers fits in. Some evaluators love his arm talent and ability to throw intermediate routes, while others question how he reads defenses and processes information. His durability is also a concern to some.
One man who doesn’t seem to have concerns about Ewers is former NFL coach Jon Gruden. While working at ESPN as an NFL analyst in 2018, Gruden spearheaded a pre-draft segment highlighting quarterbacks called “Gruden’s QB Camp”, where he’d quiz prospects on play calling, types of coverages and other related elements while evaluating their skills.
Now working with Barstool Sports, Gruden is reviving the program under the rebranded “Gruden’s QB Class.” It’s a six-episode series to appear on Barstool’s YouTube channel leading up to the draft, and on April 21, an episode with Ewers will be released.
Gruden posted a photo of him and Ewers on X on April 1 and raved about his time with Ewers.
“Talk about arm talent, that ball went wherever he wanted on a dime every time,” the post said. “Great kid, he’s got a bright future ahead!”
On his Instagram account, Gruden posted the photo with the caption, “This kid from Texas is a STUD!”
Ewers’ episode is the fifth of the series. Gruden starts the reprise with Ohio State quarterback Will Howard on April 7. Here are the release dates and subjects of “Gruden’s QB Class.”
- April 7: Will Howard, Ohio State
- April 9: Riley Leonard, Notre Dame
- April 14: Seth Henigan, Memphis
- April 16: Kyle McCord, Syracuse
- April 21: Quinn Ewers, Texas
- April 23: Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss
The NFL Draft begins April 24 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Gruden isn’t the only person with an NFL past who likes Ewers. During the Scouting Combine in March, Hall of Fame quarterback Kurt Warner had positive things to say about Ewers. While Ewers was throwing, Warner chimed in during the NFL Network broadcast to say that Ewers, “jumped out as the two guys who have had the best days among quarterbacks.” Warner included Dart as the other player he thought performed well.
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Across the industry, draft analysts view Ewers in the back half of QBs expected to be drafted anywhere from No. 5 to No. 9. CBS Sports slots Ewers at No. 5 in its rankings with a comparison to Houston Texans backup Davis Mills. CBS has Ewers ahead of “Gruden’s QB Class” subjects McCord, Howard and Leonard.
Mel Kiper Jr., the ESPN personality known for his “Big Board” in ranking draft prospects, isn’t nearly as high on Ewers as CBS. Kiper has Ewers as the No. 9 quarterback behind McCord and Howard but still ahead of Leonard. Kiper also slotted Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel and Louisville’s Tyler Shough ahead of Ewers.
Lance Zierlein of NFL.com has Ewers at No. 7, ahead of Howard and Gabriel but behind Shough and McCord. Zierlein compares Ewers to Seattle’s Sam Howell, saying that Ewers “displays willingness to go out and compete through pain,” but also, “can be fooled from pre-snap and post-snap read by defenses.”
Ewers will reportedly take a “Top 30” visit with the New Orleans Saints this month, John Hendrix with Athlon Sports said. Albert Breer with SI.com said Ewers will take official pre-draft meetings with the Cowboys, Colts and Raiders this month. Ewers met with the Jets following Texas’ pro day March 25, Breer reported.
Ewers ended his career at Texas with 27 wins and No. 3 all-time in passing yards with 9,128 and passing touchdowns with 68. He helped guide the Longhorns to back-to-back appearances in the College Football Playoff semifinals, getting two wins in the expanded format last season over Clemson and Arizona State.
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