ESPN’s Top 100 College Football Players: Quinn Ewers’ Place Is Unveiled
ESPN’s Top 100 College Football Players: Quinn Ewers’ Place Is Unveiled
As college football’s 2025 season approaches, ESPN has unveiled its Top 100 College Football Players list, a compilation of the most outstanding players from across the nation. Among the many names featured in the rankings, one that stands out for Texas Longhorns fans is Quinn Ewers, the team’s star quarterback. The highly anticipated announcement of where Ewers falls within the Top 100 has captivated not only Texas fans but the entire college football community, as his development and performance will be key to the Longhorns’ success this season.
In this piece, we will dive into Ewers’ ranking, his career trajectory, the factors influencing his place among the nation’s elite players, and what his future holds as he prepares for a critical year at Texas.
Background on Quinn Ewers
Quinn Ewers’ rise in college football has been swift and full of intrigue. A highly touted recruit out of Southlake Carroll High School in Texas, Ewers was regarded as one of the top quarterbacks in his class. His high school career included multiple state championships and jaw-dropping performances, making him a five-star recruit and the number one overall prospect for the 2021 recruiting cycle. Ewers initially committed to Texas, before briefly transferring to Ohio State, where he took a redshirt year, before ultimately returning to the Longhorns in 2022.
Ewers’ return to Texas was greeted with much fanfare and excitement, as the Longhorns were hoping to recapture the success they once enjoyed under legendary quarterbacks such as Vince Young and Colt McCoy. Though his first season with Texas in 2022 was marked by ups and downs, it was clear that Ewers possessed an immense amount of raw talent, with his arm strength, mobility, and decision-making abilities often shining through.
In 2023, Ewers showed continued improvement, with more consistent play and flashes of brilliance. Texas experienced a renaissance under head coach Steve Sarkisian, and Ewers was central to that success, helping the Longhorns navigate a competitive Big 12 schedule. He became known for his explosive throws, both deep and short, and exhibited much-improved decision-making in critical moments. As he enters the 2025 season, Quinn Ewers is expected to be one of the premier quarterbacks in college football, and his ranking in ESPN’s Top 100 is reflective of the anticipation surrounding his final season at Texas.
Ewers’ Ranking in ESPN’s Top 100
ESPN’s annual rankings of the top college football players are always highly anticipated, as they offer a snapshot of which players are expected to dominate the upcoming season. Quinn Ewers finds himself in the top portion of the rankings, an indication of the high expectations surrounding him as a player.
In the 2025 edition of ESPN’s Top 100, Ewers lands in the top 20, reflecting his status as one of the most talented quarterbacks in the country. This ranking places him among the elite college players, ahead of many other future NFL draft prospects and standout players from both Power Five and Group of Five schools. While his ranking is impressive, it also serves as a reminder of the level of competition and talent that exists in college football, with only a few quarterbacks in the country ranking higher than Ewers.
The Factors Behind Ewers’ Ranking
Quinn Ewers’ place in ESPN’s Top 100 is influenced by several factors, each of which plays into how he’s viewed as a player heading into his final season. Let’s break down the most significant elements that contributed to his ranking.
1. Physical Tools and Talent
At the core of Ewers’ ranking is his impressive physical talent. The Texas quarterback has a prototypical frame for a college signal-caller, standing at 6-foot-2 and weighing around 215 pounds. His size allows him to see over the offensive line and stand strong in the pocket, while his mobility adds an extra dimension to his game. He is quick and elusive when necessary, able to extend plays with his legs while still keeping his eyes downfield to find an open receiver.
Ewers’ arm strength is perhaps his most distinguishing feature. His ability to throw the ball deep, with both velocity and accuracy, has been a point of emphasis since he was a highly-rated recruit. He’s capable of making every throw on the field, from quick slants to deep balls that stretch the defense vertically. His throws often stand out because of their speed and precision, allowing his receivers to make plays in the open field or after the catch.
This combination of size, mobility, and arm strength makes him one of the most gifted quarterbacks in college football, and a potential first-round pick when he enters the NFL Draft. These physical attributes have certainly helped Ewers earn a spot in ESPN’s Top 100.
2. Improved Decision-Making
While Ewers’ physical tools have always been apparent, his decision-making has been an area that needed refinement as he adjusted to the college game. In his early career, both at Ohio State and during his first season at Texas, Ewers showed flashes of brilliance, but at times, his inexperience led to poor decisions that resulted in interceptions or missed opportunities.
In 2023, however, Ewers showed significant strides in improving his decision-making. He was far more patient in the pocket, taking what the defense gave him rather than forcing throws into tight windows. He also demonstrated improved ball security, lowering his interception rate while still making big plays for his offense. His understanding of defenses grew throughout the season, and he became more adept at reading coverages and making the appropriate adjustments at the line of scrimmage.
As a result, Ewers’ growth as a quarterback has made him one of the most complete players in college football, and the improvements in his decision-making have contributed to his rise in ESPN’s rankings.
3. Leadership and Maturity
Another important factor in Ewers’ ranking is his development as a leader on the field. Leadership is often difficult to quantify, but it is a critical element of any successful team. Ewers has earned the trust of his teammates and coaching staff with his poise, confidence, and work ethic. While he’s still relatively young, Ewers has shown maturity beyond his years, particularly in high-pressure situations.
As the quarterback for a program with high expectations like Texas, Ewers has shouldered a great deal of responsibility. He’s taken on the role of being the face of the Longhorns’ offense, and his ability to inspire those around him has been key to his rise as a college football star. Whether it’s rallying the team after a tough loss or providing mentorship to younger quarterbacks, Ewers has proven he’s capable of leading Texas back to national prominence.
4. Performance in Big Games
Quinn Ewers has also demonstrated the ability to perform on the biggest stage, which has played a role in his place on ESPN’s Top 100 list. In 2023, Texas faced some of the nation’s top teams, including Alabama, Oklahoma, and TCU. In these high-profile matchups, Ewers stepped up and showcased his skills. He made critical throws against top-tier defenses, including long touchdown passes that helped Texas win some key games.
His performance against Alabama, in particular, was a key moment in the 2023 season, as he led the Longhorns to a thrilling victory over one of the nation’s perennial powerhouses. Ewers’ ability to excel in such moments proved that he is capable of handling the pressures of the college football spotlight, further cementing his status as one of the game’s top players.
What’s Next for Quinn Ewers?
Looking ahead to the 2025 season, the pressure on Quinn Ewers will be immense. Texas is poised to enter the SEC in 2025, and Ewers will be tasked with leading the Longhorns through one of the most competitive conferences in college football. With a talented roster around him, including dynamic playmakers at receiver and an improving offensive line, the stage is set for Ewers to showcase his abilities and solidify his place among the nation’s best quarterbacks.
For Ewers, the next step is to continue his development as a leader, refine his decision-making even further, and make the plays necessary to keep Texas competitive in the SEC. If he can lead the Longhorns to a successful season and prove that he can handle the increased competition, his stock as a potential first-round NFL draft pick will continue to rise.
