Mel Kiper Jr.: Quinn Ewers must reestablish consistency to make QB1 case in 2025 NFL Draft

Mel Kiper Jr. believes consistency will be the name of the game for Quinn Ewers if he wants to become the consensus QB1 in the 2025 NFL Draft.

The Texas quarterback seemed earmarked for success since high school, but he’s been outshined at times by his peers, and it’s led to him remaining in Austin, refining his game under Steve Sarkisian. Even though he’s come along a bit slower than many expected, Kiper Jr. believes this weekend’s game against Michigan is a chance for Ewers to showcase his potential.

CLICK HERE to go to PrizePicks and use code ON3 to receive a guaranteed $50 once you play $5 in lineups!

“Well, [Michigan has] a great defense. High noon kickoff at the Big House, what’s better than that, Greenie,” Kiper Jr. said, via an appearance on Get Up with Mike Greenberg. “And you’ve got three players, you’ve got Will Johnson, a lock-down corner, could be a Top 5 pick for Michigan. Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant, that interior pressure that bothers quarterbacks like no other, those two kids — Grant and Mason Graham — will be Top 10 picks potentailly, right? And you’ve got Quinn Ewers — consistency.

“A couple of years ago he’s at 58-percent [passing], last year he goes up to 69-percent. But early in the year against Rice he misses a couple of throws, he looks great against Alabama in Tuscaloosa, leads them to an upset. Great touch passs, 350 yards, next week against Wyoming he’s at 52-percent. After that he’s at 65-percent or higher in every regular season game. He was ranked coming out of high school ahead of Caleb Williams, ahead of Drake Maye, ahead of JJ McCarthy. This is Quinn Ewers’ year to reestablish himself as maybe QB1 by the time we get to late April.”

Watch College Football Games Live -Try for Free Fubo! Click HERE NOW

Alas, the Texas starting quarterback had a tremendous start to the season in Week 1. Against Colorado State, Ewers completed 20 of his 27 pass attempts, amassing 260 yards and three touchdowns, while throwing one interception, as well.

It was a tremendous return to form for Ewers after a great two prior seasons with the Longhorns. In 2022, Ewers passed for 1,808 yards, 14 touchdowns and six interceptions, and he improved upon those numbers last season, when he accumulated 3,261 passing yards, 21 touchdowns and six interceptions.

Coupled with his past as one of the top quarterback prospects to ever play college football, it’s easy to see why many NFL teams will have their attention focused on the Texas quarterback throughout 2024. The top quarterback ranking for the 2025 NFL Draft is wide open at the moment, and the Longhorns star could continue to elevate up draft boards if his impressive play shines through.

Yes, Week 1 was an awesome start, but Week 2’s clash for the Longhorns on the road against the reigning, defending national champions in Michigan will truly separate decision-makers on whether Ewers can be a viable option in the NFL. Think Joe Burrow against Alabama during LSU’s undefeated season — it’s a game that can certainly shift the narrative.

Ewers will have a couple of those opportunities in 2024, aside from the clash with the Wolverines, like Texas’ games against Georgia, Oklahoma and Texas A&M. There’s no shortage of potential narrative-shifting weeks for the Longhorns quarterback.

Regardless, if Quinn Ewers stays healthy and his talent shines through, it’s easy to see why Mel Kiper Jr. and many NFL Draft analysts believe the Texas quarterback could be a premier player when it’s time to evaluate his future prospects in football.