Shocking Turn in NFL Draft: Former Texas Star Quinn Ewers Snapped Up by Dolphins at Pick 231 — Enters Crowded QB Battle in Miami

In a late but explosive twist during the final moments of the NFL Draft, the Miami Dolphins made waves with their selection of former Texas Longhorn quarterback Quinn Ewers at No. 231 overall. The seventh-round pick—often seen as a footnote—quickly became a headline when the talented but polarizing quarterback was announced. Now, Ewers is headed to South Florida, where he’ll join one of the most intriguing and pressure-packed quarterback rooms in the league.

What had once been a highly decorated college career full of promise ended in uncertainty for Ewers. After a rollercoaster tenure with the Longhorns, the former No. 1 overall high school recruit saw his stock fall out of early-round consideration. But Miami’s front office clearly believes there’s more in the tank.

Ewers’ football journey has been anything but conventional. Once hailed as a generational quarterback talent from Southlake Carroll High School, he initially skipped his senior year to enroll early at Ohio State. But after spending a redshirt season behind C.J. Stroud, he transferred to Texas where he would become the face of the program.

Despite flashes of brilliance—most notably his electric performance against Alabama in 2023 and leading Texas to a College Football Playoff appearance—Ewers struggled with consistency, decision-making, and injuries. His college career ended with as many questions as answers, prompting scouts to view him as a developmental project rather than a day-one starter.

With starter Tua Tagovailoa entering a pivotal season under center, and veteran Mike White still on the roster, the addition of Ewers creates a three-headed battle for reps. The Dolphins also brought in a rookie free agent earlier in the offseason, and Ewers’ arrival only intensifies the competition for backup—and possibly future starter—roles.

This is not just about the now,” said Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel. “This is about the next few years. We’re looking at this long-term. Quinn has the tools, and now he’ll be in a place that’s going to challenge and develop him. That’s our responsibility.”

It’s a bold move, especially given that Ewers still must prove he can thrive without the elite supporting cast he had in Austin. His biggest asset—his deep-ball accuracy and live arm—will be tested against NFL-caliber defenses in preseason and training camp.

For Ewers, the road ahead is steep but not impossible. Miami is not known for being patient with quarterbacks, but it’s also a franchise that prizes innovation and upside. If he can adjust to the speed of the game, absorb McDaniel’s complex playbook, and demonstrate maturity in the locker room, the door is open—if only a crack.

Former NFL quarterback and ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky weighed in, saying, “Don’t let the draft slot fool you. If this kid can put it together mentally and stay healthy, you could look back in a couple of years and wonder how he ever fell that far. The arm talent is top-tier.”

Still, Miami is a high-pressure destination. Tagovailoa’s long-term contract situation looms, and fan expectations are sky-high after back-to-back playoff appearances. For Ewers, that means his margin for error is razor-thin.

For Texas fans, the moment is bittersweet. Ewers was the centerpiece of Steve Sarkisian’s rebuild in Austin and delivered some of the program’s most memorable moments in a decade. But despite that, his draft fall is a reminder of just how tough the transition to the NFL can be, even for the most highly touted stars.

His selection by Miami also continues the trend of former Longhorns making NFL headlines—joining names like Bijan Robinson and Xavier Worthy as recent products of Texas football’s resurgence.

Now, all eyes will be on training camp in Miami Gardens, where Ewers will don aqua and orange and begin the fight to prove he belongs.