Joe Burrow reflects on transfer decision, talks Quinn Ewers, NIL, Portal in today's NCAA

Joe Burrow’s had a fascinating football journey, taking the road less traveled to become one of the top quarterbacks in the entire NFL with the Cincinnati Bengals.

From his time as a backup at Ohio State, to his incredible tenure with LSU and his riveting career at the professional level thus far, Burrow’s success hasn’t ever been guaranteed. Before he was named the NFL’s second two-time Comeback Player of the Year winner on Thursday, he joined The Dan Patrick Show to reflect on what he’s been through, especially at the college level.

“Yeah, 100% you doubt yourself. You don’t — I didn’t play for three years, and it wasn’t because I was hurt. That wasn’t a that wasn’t a great feeling,” Burrow said, regarding his time with the Buckeyes. “I was working very hard and improving every single week, and just — never put it all together there.

“My dad and both of my brothers played college ball, so I was able to talk to them about it. Lean on them about their experiences and learning from them, and was able to graduate early and get out of there so I could go and play some football.”

Evidently, Burrow’s time in Columbus had him thinking about whether he should’ve joined the Ohio Bobcats instead, and become a two sport athlete: “I did. Yeah I did,” Burrow stated, revealing he thought about takings his talents to the Mid-American Conference. “That was — if I had gone there, I probably would’ve played both football and basketball. I was thinking about doing that.

“You know, Ohio State was really kind of one of my only Power Five, big time school offers. If I didn’t have one of those, I probably just would’ve stayed at OU and played both.”

All told, Burrow played college football before NIL and the Transfer Portal truly entered a new era, and he believes he would’ve moved on from Ohio State much earlier if the landscape was different. One player who comes to mind for the star quarterback is Quinn Ewers, and the way he handled himself throughout his college football career.

“I probably would’ve transferred much earlier than I did, but I had to graduate to go and play,” Burrow added. “At the time, the transfer portal wasn’t a thing. I think it became a thing the next year after I transferred, but I still think you had to sit out a year.

“… You should take advantage of [NIL]. If you’re going to be able to make seven figures in college, you’ve got to go and take advantage of that. If you’re in high school and you’re getting offered that, go wherever they’re paying you the most.”

While it wasn’t always guaranteed, it worked out swimmingly for Joe Burrow and Quinn Ewers at the college level. The Cincinnati Bengals star’s success has continued to the NFL, and now the soon-to-be rookie quarterback will hope to mimic that in 2025.