Texas Survives CFP Test, but Ewers May Face Ultimate NIL Dilemma

Texas was one play away from being eliminated from the College Football Playoff on Wednesday. But on a 4th and 13, Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers threw a 28-yard touchdown to wide receiver Matthew Golden to send the Peach Bowl into a second overtime.

Ewers then threw another touchdown pass, and two-point conversion, as Texas beat Arizona State 39–31 to advance to the Cotton Bowl and CFP semifinals. Those on-field heroics came just as Ewers’ future was already trending up off the field.

With one year of college eligibility remaining, and questions mounting about his current NFL Draft stock, Ewers is said to have received a $6 million NIL (name, image, and likeness) offer to enter the transfer portal, according to On3.

While it’s unclear which school or schools are interested in Ewers, a $6 million NIL deal would make the quarterback perhaps the highest-paid player in college football. New Duke quarterback Darian Mensah is reported to have signed a two-year, $8 million NIL deal after transferring from Tulane.

Ewers will play at least one more game with Texas: A CFP Semifinal matchup next Friday, Jan. 10. The Longhorns are considered likely to start Arch Manning at quarterback next season.

Sun Devils Heating Up

Texas was pushed to the brink by an Arizona State team that entered the Peach Bowl as a double-digit underdog, despite winning the Big 12 and earning one of four first-round CFP byes.

Ahead of Arizona State’s CFP debut, head coach Kenny Dillingham agreed to a five-year contract extension that will take his annual salary from about $4 million to about $7.25 million, according to the Arizona Republic. That will make Dillingham one of the highest-paid coaches in the Big 12.

Several Arizona State assistant coaches already received extensions, and the university committed to increasing support for the football program through additional scholarships and potential revenue sharing, per ESPN.