Quarterbacks

This is shaping up to be an excellent draft for depth and talent at the QB position. Headlined by who I think is the best player overall in college football in Oklahoma’s Sam Bradford, this should be one of the deepest positions come draft day with at least three QBs that should go in the first round.

Sam Bradford, Oklahoma- Bradford would have been the first overall pick in the draft had he come out last year (in my opinion). Apparently Bradford used the extra time in college to put another 15 pounds on and his arm is even stronger now. If he can showcase this, and maintain his top shelf accuracy, he’s a no brainer for the first pick (unless it’s a team picking first that already has a young QB in place). Bradford will be put to the test this year as 4/5ths of his starting OL graduated, and his top two WRs as well, so if he stands out once again it’s because he is just that good.

Colt McCoy, Texas- McCoy has all of the makings of a first round pick and eventual franchise QB, but he does have areas to improve upon. I’ll be looking right away to see if McCoy has advanced in looking off defenders, and to see if the extra year in the weight room has helped improve his arm strength. He should be right in the thick of the Heisman race, and he’s one of the best leaders at the position in all of college football. If he plays at the same level as last year, I still think he merits a first round grade. If he improves, then he’s probably pushed himself to the top half of the draft.

Jevan Sneed, Ole Miss- Sneed was a guy last year who I really liked, and now seems to be the hottest commodity for some of the ESPN draft guys. He has all of the physical attributes of a number one overall pick, and he has the gunslinger mentality of a Jay Cutler. Like Cutler in college though, he needs to work on his decision making. If he can show the ability to mature and know when to take a sack or throw a ball away, this will go along way in proving that he’s worthy to be considered with the likes of Bradford for the number one overall pick. He’s very close, and I will be watching intently to see if my read of him from last year was correct or not.

Riley Skinner, Wake Forest- I don’t think Skinner is a starting caliber quarterback, but he intrigues me as a quality backup. He is not consistent enough in his decision making, so that has to improve this year for him to be even considered near the back half of the draft. This Wake Forest team lost a lot of defensive talent, so Skinner is really going to have to come through this year if the Demon Deacons want to have a shot. In the ACC.

Max Hall, BYU- I’m not a big fan of Hall, as I think he’s nothing more than a Graham, Harrell/Chase Daniel type of system QB. He has the chance to prove me wrong though, as he has proven to be a solid leader and an accurate passer. I just think his height and throwing motion will be what pushes him down come draft day. Still, someone to watch especially in the first game of their season against powerhouse Oklahoma.

Dan LeFevour, Central Michigan- It’s funny how Kiper was saying at the draft last year that he would be a potential first rounder in this year’s draft, and now nothing. I don’t think he will ever be anything more than a back up or third stringer in the NFL. He’s a poor man’s Tim Tebow, and that’s not necessarily a good thing as I don’t consider Tim Tebow to be an NFL caliber QB. He will have hype; I just won’t be buying into it unless he really shows something dramatically different to what I saw the past two years.

Daryl Clark, Penn State- I don’t think Clark will be a NFL QB, but I think he will make a team in some capacity. Whether it’s to run the wildcat or play WR, he has physical ability and speed. This team is basically starting over with a whole new set of WRs, so Clark definitely has the chance to show talent evaluators if he’s the real deal or not. I expect his defense to be the real deal, which is why the Nittany Lions will be contenders.

Russell Wilson, NC State- Wilson was one of two true Freshman QBs who really impressed me last year. He has the arm and the feet to be very good, but he’s short. If he can play above his height, he will have some real notoriety heading into his first year of draft eligibility in 2011.

Jordan Jefferson, LSU- LSU will go as far as the Sophomore can lead them. I like him more than Wilson, as he has the physical attributes of an NFL caliber QB. He has some talent around him, and if he can shine this year, he’s probably one of the two favorites for the Heisman and the first pick in the draft in 2011.

Terrell Prior, Ohio State- Prior is an amazing athlete, but not a QB at this point in his career. He will only be a true Sophomore, so he has time, but he has to show some improvement in the passing game. There is no questioning his running ability, which is right up there as some of the best I have seen since Vick in college, but his arm, accuracy and decision making all need major work. He will prove it best in week two against a tough USC team.

Tim Tebow, Florida- Tebow might very well go down as the greatest college football player of all time. That does not make him an automatic NFL star though. There have been others like him in the past that just did not transition to the next level, like Charlie Ward of Florida State and Tommie Frazier or Eric Crouch of Nebraska. He will make a team in some capacity; I just don’t see it as a QB. There has been a lot of noise this off season about how the Gators have brought in a new QBs coach who was at Michigan when Tom Brady was there to help Tebow bring his throwing motion up to be more over the top (and not the unorthodox side arm motion he has had to date). I will be the first to say that I don’t think this will matter at all. His throwing motion is only part of the problem I have with him. His run first mentality is where it becomes an issue. The league is showing more and more now that the classic pocket passer who can make their reads and get the throw out on time is the one who will lead your team to a championship. So while I think he is a great player, and an even better human being, I just don’t think he will ever play anything more than a gimmick QB in the NFL. I’d love to see him move to safety or h-back, as he is tough and athletic enough to get on the field and contribute in the NFL.

Tim Hiller, Eastern Michigan- I have seen very little of Hillier, but he’s a player to take note of this season. He has the physical attributes of an NFL QB; it’s just his experience against lower competition that will hurt him. Keep an eye out for him and remember his name as I think he will be a hot commodity come draft time.

Todd Reesing, Kansas- Reesing is a system QB who is very successful and experienced, but far too short to ever be an NFL QB. I expect him to put up huge numbers this year, but I don’t expect him to be drafted.