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Steve Sarkisian pushes back on NIL conversation surrounding Quinn Ewers, says 'he never took money from our collective'

Joe Cookby:Joe Cook•about 8 hours•

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NFL: Combine
Mar 1, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers (QB04) during the 2025 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Speaking Monday at the Touchdown Club of Houston, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian was asked about Quinn Ewers‘ selection by the Miami Dolphins in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft. While he expressed disappointment about Ewers’ slide, Sarkisian provided his opinion on the discourse surrounding Ewers and his decision not to return to college.

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In doing so, he presented what might be considered a surprising piece of information.

“I feel for Quinn,” Sarkisian said. “He was a great player for us. I think about a lot of the people who have come into this program over the past four years that have impacted the growth and the trajectory of our program, and he’s right there near the top if not at the top with the impact that he’s had not only on the field but off the field. His ability to help recruit other players to come be part of our program.

“Through all this talk about collective and the things that were going on in the world of NIL. He never took money from our collective. All of what he did through NIL was his true name, image, and likeness. The intent of the rule. On that front, I’m very grateful for what he did for our program.”

Ewers was picked in the seventh round by the Miami Dolphins. He was the twelfth quarterback picked in the draft, behind signal-callers like Kurtis Rourke and Graham Mertz. A number of loud opinions in recent days have expressed surprise that Ewers elected to go to the NFL instead of collecting a paycheck for another season in college football. Sarkisian pushed against that.

“I also think it’s ironic that so many things are written and talked about the players from the negative standpoint that transfer schools or stay in school to take more money like it’s a negative,” Sarkisian said. “All of a sudden, here’s a guy that said ‘I want to leave a legacy at Texas. I want to go play in the NFL.’ Now they’re knocking him for not taking the money in college.”

All that in mind, Sarkisian expressed optimism that Ewers’ fit with Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel would be a great one.

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“I think all of us wish he would have gotten drafted higher, but at the end of the day if I could have picked a place that I think is a great fit for him, I think Miami is a great fit,” Sarkisian said. “Systematically, what Coach McDaniel does is if not exactly the same very similar to what we do. There’s going to be a level of comfort for him in style of play. He’s got a lot of great weapons on the outside. It’s a warm weather place. In the end, I think it’s a good fit for him. Now it’s about taking advantage about the opportunity that presents itself.”

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