The next step in two former Southlake Carroll Dragon's road to the National Football League begins this weekend.
The National Football League Combine begins Feb. 27 and runs through March 2, and Quinn Ewers and R.J. Mickens are hoping to use this time to impress general managers and coaches. Ewers, a quarterback, will work out with his fellow signal-callers as well as wide receivers and running backs on Saturday, March 1 between noon and 8 p.m. Mickens will take the field on Feb. 27 starting at 2 p.m.
The entire combine is available to watch on NFL Network on the following days:
- Thursday, Feb. 27: Defensive Lineman and Linebackers, 2 p.m.
- Friday, Feb. 28: Defensive Backs and Tight Ends, 2 p.m.
- Saturday, March 1: Quarterbacks, Wide Receivers and Running Backs, noon
- Sunday, March 2: Offensive Lineman, noon
The public is truly undecided on Ewers' potential landing spot in the NFL Draft; following an up-and-down performance in the College Football Playoffs, the former Dragon has been tagged by league analysts as being chosen anywhere between late in the first-round to the third or fourth round. Todd McShay, a former ESPN college football and NFL Draft analyst publicly stated that he thought Ewers should use his final year of eligibility and return to school.
For his Longhorn career, Ewers threw for 9,128 yards and 68 touchdowns -- both third all-time in the school's history. He threw for 2,472 yards and 31 TDs with 12 interceptions in his final college season.
Mickens, a former Clemson Tiger and Carroll standout declared for the Draft following a stellar senior season where he was chosen to play in the 2025 Shrine Bowl. Mickens was one of more than 30 defensive backs invited to work out at the Combine. His group will take the field on Feb. 28.
As a Tiger from 2020-2024, Mickens recorded 229 tackles, seven interceptions, 15 pass breakups and a fumble recovery in 2,174 career snaps.