EA Sports College Football 25: Predicting highest-rated Texas football players
2. Quinn Ewers, QB
Overall rating projection: 96
Another Longhorns player who has an undeniable amount of time and unlimited potential on the field during the 2024 season is rising redshirt junior quarterback Quinn Ewers. The former No. 1 rated recruit in the nation in the 2022 class (before reclassifying to 2021 when he signed with the Ohio State Buckeyes a few years ago) is one of the top returning quarterbacks in the Power Five in 2024.
Ewers is arguably the top returning quarterback in the SEC for the 2024 season. Georgia's Carson Beck and Ole Miss's Jaxson Dart are also some of the top returning quarterbacks in the SEC in 2024.
But as far as NCAA football video game ratings are concerned, Ewers has a valid argument that he should be rated more highly than any other quarterback in the SEC.
First, Ewers has unmatched arm talent regarding the touch and distance he can put on his throws. He's the type of quarterback that can touch every blade of grass on the field. His accuracy and timing have also greatly improved year-over-year.
Last season, Ewers was the only quarterback in the Big 12 who completed over 70 percent of his passing attempts in conference play.
The pocket awareness and composure that Ewers displayed in live-game action last season was also a big progression from his first year as Texas's starting quarterback. He made quicker decisions to get the ball out on time and to the right place.
He was making much better decisions regarding when to evade the pocket when things were breaking down in front of him, and when to throw the ball away. Ewers' ability to have a good feel for when the pocket was breaking down and when to ditch the pocket meant he could find open grass and pick up key first downs on scramble plays.
Ewers added a new element to his game last season, utilizing his legs as a weapon more often. He rushed for five scores and over a dozen first downs on scramble plays in 2023.
The newfound dual-threat ability combined with the improved pocket presence and immense arm talents makes Ewers an easy selection to be one of the highest-rated quarterbacks in EA Sports College Football 25.