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Texas to the Draft: Ewers, Sorrell, Collins reminisce on their careers, dish on the future of Texas in pre-draft workouts

by:Charlie Williams•about 9 hours
Quinn Ewers
Quinn Ewers (Will Gallagher/Inside Texas)

As the NFL Combine and Draft approach, former Texas Longhorns Quinn Ewers, Barryn Sorrell, and Alfred Collins are deep in preparation, refining their skills at one of the premier training facilities for elite athletes. With scouts and NFL decision-makers soon to be watching, every rep matters, and Tuesday was all about fine-tuning their craft before tackling conditioning and classroom work.

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Ewers, who showed up looking for extra work, was effortlessly delivering passes with touch. He didn’t have the familiarity of throwing to his usual Longhorns targets, but it didn’t seem to matter. He looked sharp and confident as he worked with TCU receivers Jack Bech and John Paul Richardson, Arkansas’ Andrew Armstrong, and Georgia’s Dominic Lovett. Despite not having built-in chemistry with them, he hit each one in stride, his footwork crisp and his deep ball carrying the same effortless zip that made him one of the top quarterbacks in college football—he looks as strong as ever.

Meanwhile, Sorrell moved through drills with a such smoothness, and his flexibility, agility, and burst off the line stood out. If this performance translates to the Combine, he’ll turn heads in Indianapolis. Every drill reinforced just how polished and explosive he’s become—quick feet, fluid hips, and the kind of balance that makes him a nightmare for offensive tackles.

Collins had a strong day, showcasing his power and strength during bag drills. Every rep was violent, and explosive. For a guy his size, he moves exceptionally well, showing quick feet and smooth lateral movement. His ability to transition that power into fluid motion makes him a rare blend of size and athleticism. If today was any indication, he’s more than just a space-eater—he has the tools to be disruptive at the next level.

But beyond their physical performances, it was their reflections on the Texas program that stood out. Collins, who has seen the highs and lows of Longhorn football, spoke about the shift in team culture, how Texas transformed into a championship contender under Steve Sarkisian.

“The culture around the building is just different,” Collins said. “Everybody holds everyone accountable. We learn from our mistakes. In years past, we may have finger-pointed a little bit—nobody really wanted to take the blame even when they messed up. But now, everybody holds themselves accountable to the highest standard, wants to improve, can take criticism, and can take coaching. That’s the biggest difference. Everybody wants to be better and is doing whatever it takes to be better.”

As for who will take the torch next, Collins didn’t hesitate.

“Alex January has a chance to be really good,” he said. “If he matures—which he should—he’s going to be a dominant player. He’s already doing things on the field that we veterans were doing in our fifth year, and he was doing them as a freshman. That speaks volumes.”

He also singled out Ethan Burke as a name to watch.

“Ethan is an absolute dog,” Collins said. “He has a tremendous work ethic, does whatever the coaches ask him to do, and will play anywhere they ask him to. I’m looking forward to him taking over next year and dominating.”

Sorrell, meanwhile, had high praise for a rising edge defender who’s flying under the radar.

“Zina Umeozulu is the guy nobody’s really talking about, but they should be,” Sorrell said. “He has a tremendous work ethic. He listens, he takes notes, he wants to be better. Physically, he will outwork anyone in the room, and he’s always trying to soak up information and apply it.”

It’s clear the former Longhorns believe the program is in good hands. Ewers, even in his brief time speaking, expressed confidence in what’s ahead.

“Texas is in great hands going forward,” he said. “Texas is going to keep getting better. Texas will be the team to beat for years to come.”

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As they gear up for the biggest job interviews of their lives, Ewers, Sorrell, and Collins aren’t just preparing for their futures—they’re also leaving behind a program that they believe is stronger than ever. And judging by the way they looked on the field today, it won’t be long before they make their mark in the NFL.

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