Three Former Texas Longhorns Attending Marquee NFL Rookie Event

With Texas being a high-profile football school, the inclusion of three Longhorn products makes sense. And it's happening for the second straight year. Carolina Panthers tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders and running back Jonathan Brooks as well as Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Adonai Mitchell were Texas alumni at the event in 2024.

The purpose of the event is to introduce the selected rookies to the commercial side of football, or to how it works at the professional level compared to in college. The 31st annual Rookie Premiere will feature autograph signings and trading card photoshoots with Panini America, official Fanatics jersey unveilings and live-action and studio content sessions.

“Over the weekend, you see who these rookies really are – their energy, their personality, their drive – and it sparks ideas for how to build with them," said Matt Curtin, the NFL Players Inc. President, in the NFLPA article. "This class already understands the power of their personal brand, and Rookie Premiere helps turn that into lasting business relationships.”  

Ewers' presence at the event will be notable. The Dolphins seventh-round pick chose to enter the NFL Draft overstay in college and use his final year of eligibility, in which he reportedly could have earned $8 million in NIL money. Despite currently sitting as Miami's third-string quarterback, Ewers has a well-known name in football circles as a result of his Texas career that could prove profitable in the NFL. The Rookie Premiere could be step one in that.

With Ewers being joined by Golden and Blue in Los Angeles, Texas is continuing to make its presence as a top professional talent-producing school obvious.