Ryan Day Reflects on the ‘Strange’ Recruitment of Texas Longhorns QB Quinn Ewers
Ryan Day, the head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes, has always been known for his keen eye for talent, particularly in the quarterback position. This skill was put to the test when recruiting Quinn Ewers, a high school star from Southlake Carroll in Texas. Ewers, now the starting quarterback for the Texas Longhorns, was once a highly coveted prospect whose recruitment journey was filled with twists and turns that Day describes as “strange.”
Ewers burst onto the national scene during his junior year when he showcased his remarkable arm talent and playmaking ability, quickly making him one of the top quarterback prospects in the country. By the time he finished his high school career, he had garnered widespread attention from college football programs across the nation, making choices about his future all the more complex. Day, who had taken the helm at Ohio State in 2019, recognized the potential that Ewers possessed and was eager to add him to the Buckeyes’ storied program.
However, the recruitment of Quinn Ewers was unlike any Day had experienced before. “It was a unique situation from the start,” Day said in a recent interview reflecting on the recruitment process. “Quinn was highly sought after by so many programs, and he had a lot of pressure coming from Texas, where the football culture is immense. It created a kind of chaotic environment, one that was both exciting and challenging.”
Adding to the tension was the fact that Ewers was the first quarterback to ever be rated as a five-star prospect by all major recruiting services before his junior season, which only intensified interest. Coaches from across the country flocked to Southlake, making in-person visits and trying to make their cases to Ewers. Though Ohio State was firmly on Ewers’ radar, the challenge remained convincing him to leave the Lone Star State and take his talents north.
Ewers initially committed to the Buckeyes in late 2020, a moment filled with celebration and hope from Day and his coaching staff. It seemed like a perfect fit: a premier program with a recent history of quarterback success, and the opportunity to work under one of the game’s rising coaches. In his short time in Columbus, Ewers had the chance to learn from accomplished quarterbacks who had gone on to the NFL, making Ohio State an attractive destination for a player with such high aspirations.
However, his time at Ohio State quickly became complicated. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the season, altering traditional recruitment strategies and making the transition to college life even more daunting for new players. Additionally, with the emergence of talented quarterbacks on the Buckeyes roster, including C.J. Stroud, Ewers found himself in a challenging position. Although expectations were high, competition was fierce, and playing time became a significant consideration.
After just one season at Ohio State, Ewers decided to transfer back to Texas, a move that Day described as not entirely surprising but still disappointing. “Once he went back home, it became clear that family and familiarity played a significant role in his decision. We understood that, but it’s certainly difficult to see someone with so much talent leave.”
Ewers’ transfer to Texas was celebrated in Austin, where fans were eager to see homegrown talent leading the Longhorns. Day acknowledged the potential that Ewers has shown since returning to Texas: “He’s an incredibly gifted player, and you can see that he’s becoming comfortable in his own skin. It’s exciting to watch him grow as a quarterback.”
Looking back, Day sees the entire recruitment journey as an essential learning experience, both for himself and his program. “Every recruitment is different, and Quinn’s was especially unique. In the end, what matters most is that he’s in a place where he feels he can thrive.”
As Ewers continues to develop in his role as a leader for the Texas Longhorns, the journey he undertook—from being a highly sought-after recruit to navigating the challenges of college football—serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of recruitment and the importance of staying true to one’s roots. For Ryan Day, the lessons learned from Ewers’ recruitment will undoubtedly influence how he approaches future prospects, reinforcing the tenet that relationships, environment, and personal beliefs significantly impact decisions on and off the field.
