The NFL Draft did not go as planned for Quinn Ewers. The former Longhorns star was expected to be picked in the first round or, at the very worst, round two. That’s not how it played out, as Ewers slid all the way to the seventh round. His nightmare ended when the Miami Dolphins selected him with the 231st pick.

While Ewers entered the draft with question marks, he also had an impressive resume. He finished his Longhorns career with 9,128 passing yards and 68 passing touchdowns. With Ewers under center, Texas won 27 games and made two College Football appearances. Although his fall was unexpected, Ewers is happy to be a Dolphin.

Advertisement

“It was very unexpected, and I think that the toughest part about it is just the amount of unexpected occurrences there were,” Ewers told ESPN NFL reporter Todd Archer. “But I’m glad that I ended up where I ended up. To go as late as I did, I’m glad it’s a good spot.”

As Ewers begins his pro career, he won’t be forced to be the Dolphins’ starter immediately. Miami is currently led by Tua Tagovailoa. The talented 27-year-old has missed a lot of time due to concussions but has put up impressive numbers when healthy.

Regardless of when his time comes, Ewers is ready to make his mark and show what teams who passed on him are missing out on.

Advertisement

“I wanted to continue on my career path, and I know I’m ready for the NFL,” Ewers told Archer. “I think my game fits the NFL better than it does in college, honestly. I’m ready for the next step.”

For the first time in his football career, Ewers will be an underdog. After the draft, many executives saw Ewers as a third or fourth-round pick. That has only added more fuel to the fire for Ewers, who now gets to start his Plan A in life, which, according to his mother, was always to play football at the highest level.

“And Quinn’s answer was always, ‘I want to play in the NFL,'” Ewers mom said earlier in the draft process. “I would say, ‘OK, but what’s your Plan B?’ He’d say there isn’t a Plan B. So, getting to see him live that out is a joy. Truly.”

Advertisement

If he can improve on his college play with the Dolphins, then Plan A should have an unforgettable ending.

This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Quinn Ewers says he’s ready for the NFL