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Paul Finebaum Sends Strong Message After Quinn Ewers Draft Decision

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Tristan Afshar | Last updated Apr 29, 2025 10:36 AM ET

Quinn Ewers’ draft weekend didn’t go as planned—and now the criticism is coming fast. After choosing to forgo his final year of college eligibility, the former Texas quarterback slid all the way to the seventh round, where the Miami Dolphins finally selected him at pick No. 231 overall.

Ewers was once seen as a possible top-100 selection. Now, many are questioning whether leaving school early was the right move. Among them: ESPN’s Paul Finebaum, who shared a pointed reaction during an appearance on "McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning."

“It’s a cautionary tale that you probably ought to get really good advice,” Finebaum said. “Listen, as somebody who saw Quinn Ewers a lot this past year, he just wasn’t that great. Everyone knows that.”

Finebaum pointed to fan frustration during the season and didn’t mince words when reflecting on what went wrong.

Finebaum says Ewers made a “terrible decision” driven by ego

“He just let his ego get in the way, and he made a terrible decision,” he added. “He would not have been at Texas. We all know that. They didn’t want him anymore. He would have been somewhere like Carson Beck, making a lot of money, having a good time and maybe working on his skills, as opposed to being humiliated the way he was.”

With the No. 231 overall pick in the 2025 @NFLDraft, the @MiamiDolphins select Quinn Ewers.

: #NFLDraft on NFLN/ESPN/ABC
: Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/1Wd4GWVS8W
— NFL (@NFL) April 26, 2025

Ewers is set to sign a four-year, $4.33 million rookie deal with Miami—well below the rumored $6 million NIL offer he could’ve received had he stayed in college. Still, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian stood by his former QB, crediting him for helping elevate the Longhorns program and recruiting class.

As the dust settles, Ewers’ legacy in Austin is now in the rearview—while his NFL future begins under a brighter, more scrutinized spotlight.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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