Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers was recruited by Arizona State coach Kenny Dillingham. It didn’t work out.

Texas Quarterback Quinn Ewers Was Recruited by Arizona State Coach Kenny Dillingham. It Didn’t Work Out.

In college football, recruiting is one of the most crucial aspects of building a successful program. Coaches spend countless hours evaluating talent, making pitches, and selling their programs to high school stars across the country. A significant part of the recruiting process is also about forming relationships with young players who could eventually change the course of a program. For Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham, one of the most intriguing “what-ifs” in his early coaching career revolves around his recruitment of one of the most highly touted quarterbacks in recent years—Quinn Ewers.

Ewers, a Texas native, became one of the most coveted recruits in college football history. His arm strength, poise in the pocket, and ability to make every throw imaginable made him an instant superstar. With a natural gift for the position and years of hype surrounding his future in the game, it was no surprise that Ewers was a top priority for nearly every major program in the country. Among those programs was Arizona State, and it was Dillingham who was tasked with trying to land this future star. However, despite his best efforts, it ultimately didn’t work out. Ewers would go on to commit elsewhere, leading to a series of events that would have major implications for both Dillingham and Ewers in their respective careers.

In this piece, we will explore the recruiting process that led to Ewers’ eventual commitment to Ohio State and then to Texas, and how Dillingham, who was integral in Ewers’ recruitment, was left to reflect on what might have been had the talented quarterback decided to join the Arizona State Sun Devils. We’ll also examine the ripple effects of this missed opportunity and how both Ewers and Dillingham’s careers have evolved since that time.

The Rise of Quinn Ewers

Quinn Ewers’ recruitment journey began long before his eventual commitment to Ohio State. Hailing from the Dallas area, Ewers became a household name during his high school career at Southlake Carroll High School. Known for his impressive arm strength, athleticism, and poise, Ewers quickly garnered attention from college scouts across the country. By his junior year, it was clear that he was a once-in-a-generation talent—a player who could change the fortunes of any program that managed to land him.

Ewers’ high school career was nothing short of spectacular. He threw for more than 4,000 yards and 45 touchdowns during his junior season, earning national accolades and cementing himself as the top quarterback in his class. With his combination of physical traits, mental acuity, and leadership qualities, it was clear that Ewers would be the centerpiece of any college offense that had the privilege of recruiting him.

As his senior season at Southlake Carroll unfolded, Ewers became even more of a national sensation. He continued to dazzle on the field, impressing coaches with his ability to make every throw in the playbook, regardless of the situation. His deep passes were crisp and precise, and his ability to perform in big moments made him an even more enticing prospect. Ewers was a quarterback who could elevate a program, and his recruitment took on a life of its own, with coaches from all over the country making personal visits and sending out relentless offers to the five-star prospect.

Kenny Dillingham’s Arizona State Pitch

Kenny Dillingham, who took over as head coach at Arizona State in 2022, was in a prime position to make a big splash early in his tenure. Dillingham, who had previously made a name for himself as an offensive coordinator at Oregon, knew that one of the most important pieces to rebuilding Arizona State’s football program would be landing a quarterback. The Sun Devils had struggled with consistency at the quarterback position, and Dillingham recognized that a star quarterback could be the foundation on which he could build a successful offense and a successful program.

Ewers, with his rare talent and national profile, represented the perfect opportunity for Dillingham. Given his connections as a young and innovative offensive mind, Dillingham was well-equipped to make an impression on Ewers. With Arizona State’s location in the Pac-12 and Dillingham’s up-tempo, high-powered offensive scheme, the Sun Devils offered a unique opportunity for Ewers to thrive. Dillingham, known for his ability to work with quarterbacks, saw Ewers as a perfect fit for his system.

In the recruiting process, Dillingham made it clear to Ewers that Arizona State would be a place where he could develop into the top-tier quarterback everyone projected him to be. Dillingham’s approach was focused on showing how the Arizona State offense could maximize Ewers’ strengths, including his deep passing ability, pocket presence, and leadership. While Dillingham was aware that Ewers would have a plethora of offers to choose from, he felt confident that the combination of his offensive system, the Pac-12 competition, and the opportunity to be the face of the program would appeal to Ewers.

Dillingham also worked hard to establish a personal connection with Ewers. Recruiting, at its core, is about building relationships, and Dillingham knew that in order to have a chance at landing a player of Ewers’ caliber, he would need to convince him that Arizona State was the right place for him, both on and off the field. The two developed a rapport that made Dillingham optimistic about Arizona State’s chances in this highly competitive recruitment.

Ohio State and the Ewers Decision

Despite Dillingham’s best efforts, Quinn Ewers ultimately made a decision that would shock many: he committed to Ohio State, one of the blue-chip programs in the country. Ohio State, under head coach Ryan Day, had been a dominant force in college football for years, and they presented Ewers with an opportunity to play in one of the most high-powered offenses in the country. The allure of competing for a national title and playing under Day, who had developed quarterbacks such as Justin Fields and Dwayne Haskins, was too strong for Ewers to pass up.

For Ewers, the decision to choose Ohio State over Arizona State made sense. The Buckeyes had a proven track record of success at the quarterback position, and the chance to play in a well-established program with an elite roster was an opportunity that could not be ignored. The Ohio State offense, led by one of the brightest offensive minds in college football, offered Ewers the best platform to showcase his talents and ultimately achieve his long-term goals of playing at the next level.

Dillingham, though disappointed, understood why Ewers chose Ohio State. The Buckeyes were a national powerhouse, and the opportunity to play for such a program was hard to turn down for any recruit, especially one as highly regarded as Ewers. Despite this setback, Dillingham continued to focus on recruiting other quarterbacks who could help Arizona State return to prominence.

Ewers’ Time at Ohio State and the Transfer to Texas

Ewers’ time at Ohio State, however, was short-lived. After redshirting his first year in Columbus, he opted to transfer to the University of Texas, his home state, for the 2022 season. Ewers’ transfer to Texas marked the beginning of a new chapter in his career, one that would be full of even greater expectations. At Texas, Ewers was reunited with his home state, and he immediately became the focal point of Steve Sarkisian’s offense. Ewers quickly earned the starting job, and despite a few growing pains early in the season, he showed the flashes of brilliance that had made him a top recruit in the first place.

Ewers’ journey at Texas has been marked by ups and downs, but it’s clear that the Longhorns have a star at quarterback for years to come. His deep ball accuracy, quick release, and ability to read defenses have made him one of the most exciting quarterbacks in college football. Ewers’ decision to transfer to Texas has allowed him to play closer to home, where he has flourished in Sarkisian’s offense.

The Impact on Arizona State and Dillingham

For Arizona State, the recruitment of Quinn Ewers serves as both a missed opportunity and a reminder of the challenges that come with recruiting elite talent. While Dillingham did not land Ewers, his efforts were not in vain. Dillingham has since recruited quarterbacks with potential, including talented prospects who could help lead the Sun Devils into the future. While it is disappointing that Ewers chose Ohio State and later Texas, Dillingham’s ability to continue pushing for top-tier talent has allowed Arizona State to remain competitive in the recruiting game.

For Dillingham, recruiting is an ongoing process, and missing out on Ewers does not define his career. In fact, his work in developing quarterbacks and building relationships with recruits is what will ultimately define his tenure at Arizona State. Dillingham has shown that he can work with a wide range of quarterbacks, and as Arizona State continues to build its program, it will undoubtedly be a force to be reckoned with in the coming years.