Former Texas wide receiver Johntay Cook recently took to social media to voice his opinion on a rumored $6 million NIL offer for former teammate Quinn Ewers. Cook, who transferred to Washington, seemed critical of the substantial offer, sarcastically commenting, “wasting y’all money fr.”
The tension stems from Ewers, the starting quarterback for Texas, reportedly being courted by multiple programs offering him significant NIL deals to entice him to remain in college and enter the transfer portal rather than declare for the 2025 NFL Draft. This situation highlights the growing influence of NIL deals in college football, with Ewers being at the center of this storm.
Despite his impressive passing stats this season, Ewers’ tenure at Texas has been marked by inconsistency and injury concerns. Cook’s comments appear to reflect frustration over Ewers’ decision-making and the perception of NIL deals becoming the main driving force behind a player’s future, rather than on-field performance.
The debate over Ewers’ future and the role of NIL in shaping college football careers has sparked conversations across the sport, especially with players like Cook voicing concerns about how much influence money is having on decisions.
Now, Ewers faces a major decision that could shape his career: staying in college for potentially massive NIL deals or declaring for the NFL Draft and pursuing his professional career. Cook’s remarks add to the growing narrative that NIL offers are increasingly influencing key college football decisions.