The Longhorns may have missed the final curtain, but Quinn Ewers is the real show, stealing headlines like a diabolical twist in The Prestige. With scouts circling like vultures, the big question looms—NFL draft or transfer portal? Well, Ewers has the tools, but his 12 interceptions this season have raised doubts as sharp as a villain’s dagger. Opting for another college stint could potentially be his masterstroke, allowing him to refine his skills in preparation for a highly anticipated NFL debut. The next move? Pure drama, and fans are dying to see the plot unfold.

Now one thing is pretty clear: Quinn Ewers battled several inconsistencies this season. First, an oblique strain sidelined him for four weeks, and even upon his return, he struggled to live up to the potential suggested by his previous performance. Now, in the middle of this chaos, Ewers reportedly has a $6 million offer waiting if he enters the transfer portal. Wild, right? But here’s another kicker: Analyst JD Pickell believes Ewers should, though “fully unlikely,” consider a move to Notre Dame to rebuild his resume and make a stronger run at the NFL.

Pickell said, “I think Quinn you should transfer to Notre Dame, full stop. I think that is the best next step for him going forward when it comes to his career professionally and when it comes to his development as a college quarterback.” Looks like Quinn Ewers’ future plans are taking a serious hit. So, it’s like there are a number of CFB teams waiting for him to enter the portal, but on the flip side, Ewers is already planning on entering the drafts, which might not be a smart decision right now.

See, it’s not just about entering the drafts but also about holding a decent spot. And for now, that’s not the case for Quinn Ewers. According to NFL executives, Ewers is outside the top 100 picks, but he can improve his draft stock through pre-draft workouts and interviews. Now, isn’t it smart to be in college football for one more year and make that happen eventually?

Even Pickell thinks the same about Quinn Ewers’ NFL move. He said, “I don’t know where, but the thing with Quinn Ewers and why I think he should go to Notre Dame—let’s switch to not going pro—that’s the best way to unpack this. Everybody in the NFL world that I listen to that seems to be in the know says the same thing. Quinn Ewers: good player, good tools. Probably not ready for the NFL.” Well, that can be a valid point. If Ewers joins Marcus Freeman’s army, he will be the experienced guy who returned to CFB with more playoff experience than anybody else.

Furthermore, no other quarterback in the transfer portal possesses the unique ability to replicate Quinn Ewers’ incredible fourth-and-13 touchdown pass in the Peach Bowl, a throw that kept Texas’ season alive. There are inconsistencies, but not incompetence. Plus, he could follow in the footsteps of Joe Burrow, who also improved his skills in college football before excelling as a pro player. But even if he wants to make a move, is Ewers really ready to go pro?

Is Quinn Ewers NFL ready?

Well, Quinn Ewers has had some impressive victories over Michigan and Alabama in 2023, but his overall performance tells a different story. He struggled with consistency and injuries in the past two years, as evidenced by his six interceptions in the final five games of the season. However, his 29 touchdown passes in 2024 and second-team All-SEC honor show that he has great potential.

Moreover, with 36 career starts and a remarkable 21-5 record in the last two seasons, Ewers has led Texas to back-to-back CFP semifinals. In the latest game on Friday, he threw for 283 yards and two touchdowns, bringing his career totals to 66 touchdowns, 8,845 yards, and a completion rate of 65.1%. Despite these accomplishments, Shannon Sharpe believes Ewers is not on the same level as Cam Ward and is not yet ready to lead an NFL team. “I’m sorry, guys, but I never saw what evaluators saw in him,” Sharpe stated.

It is a fact that Ewers is still running, but his struggle to consistently perform at a high level is evident. For example, in his recent game against the Buckeyes, he completed only 23 out of 39 passes, indicating that he might not be there yet. A transfer to another college could help reset his trajectory, allowing him to improve his skills and increase his draft stock. Another season in college football could potentially transform him into the game-changing player scouts are waiting for, proving he’s ready to dominate the NFL.