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NEWS AND INFORMATION ON THE NFL DRAFT |
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NEWS AND INFORMATION ON THE NFL DRAFT |
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2011 DRAFT PREVIEW: QBsProspect
profiles
Overview: There is a better than even chance that a QB will be taken first overall for the 4th straight year - and for the 10th time in 12 drafts - at the 2012 as Stanford junior QB Andrew Luck is considered to be far and away the best overall prospect for the upcomng draft. In fact, the Cardinal star, who many consider to be the best pro collegiate prospect since another former Stanford QB John Elway entered the league to much fanfare back in 1983, would have been the top pick this past April had her opted to turn pro this year. About the only thing that would keep Luck from being the #1 pick this year would be if he decided to stay in school for his senior, an option that won't be totally out of the question until he actually applies for the draft as he's a bright student who just may decide to hang around Palo Alto until he graduates. Luck could be joined in this coming April's opening round by fellow juniors Matt Barkley of Southern California and Landry Jones of Oklahoma, both of whom should also get top 10 consideration. Indeed, both could conceivably even get consideration to be the first player selected should Luck opt to return to school. At the same time, there will also be a solid contingent of senior QBs with excellent pro potential in college football this fall headed by Ryan Tannehill of Texas A&M, Michigan State's Kirk Cousins, Nick Foles of Arizona and Oklahoma State's Brandon Weeden, although none looks more like a late first rounder at best at this time. There also should be plenty of depth at the position in 2012 as there are a lot of college teams across the country with solid senior QBs that should get at least mid-to-late rate consideration including players like Ryan Lindley of San Diego State, Houston gunslinger Case Keenum, Boise State's Kellen Moore, a legitimate Heisman candidate, although he lacks the size the size and arm strength of a prototype NFL QB prospect, Austin Davis of Southern Mississippi, Dominique Davis of East Carolina, G.K. Kinne of Tulsa, and possibly Dayne Crist of Notre Dame, who has a pro arm, but has had a couple of serious knee injuries. Then there is enigmatic former Ohio State QB Terrelle Pryor whose status is currently up in the air; Pryor left school and has applied to this week's supplemental draft, but to date has not been deemed eligible so may have to wait a year to get his chance at the pros. And Pryor, who was once the top-rated recruit in the country, will be a challenge for pro scouts as he has immense phsyical talent, but never really developed as a passer at Ohio State and, of course, now is decked out in so many red flags. Indeed, pro scouts face a number of challenges evaluating this year's QB crop in addition to Pryor. South Carolina's Steven Garcia, for example, is a talented QB, but also leads the country with a half dozen suspensions on his personnel file, while many observers felt that Florida's John Brantley was actually a better pro prospect that Tim Tebow whom he replaced last fall, but he had a dismal season and isn't even guaranteed to start this fall. At the same time, in addition to Boise State's Kellen Moore, who is only 6-0, 190, there are a number of other very talented veteran QBs out there who are somewhat small by NFL draft standards including 5-11 Dan Persa of Northwestern, 6-0 Zach Collaros of Cincinnati and 5-11 former North Carolina State star Russell Wilson who transferred to Wisconsin. Top 20 QB Prospects
Sleeper file: Tyler Lantrip of Nevada has bided his time backing up former star Wolfpack QB Colin Kaepernick, a second round pick by the 49ers at the 2011 draft, but gets his chance this fall. The 6-3, 220-pound Lantrip is not the overall athlete that his predecessor was, but actually has a better arm than Kaepernick with nice touch and a quick release. Meanwhile, Matt Smith of Arizona won't get a lot of snaps this fall working behind Nick Foles, but may be the best back-up QB in the country with an interesting set of tools of his own. At the same time, the top QB prospects outside the ranks of D1A programs include B.J. Coleman of Tennessee-Chattanooga and Richmond's Aaron Corp a one-time Southern Cal starter. Future file: Andrew Luck, Matt Barkley and Landry Jones are the only three junior QBs who figure to really impact the 2012 draft, but several other juniors at the position who will play major roles this fall including Geno Smith of West Virginia, E.J. Manuel of Florida State and Baylor's very athletic Robert Griffin. Meanwhile, college football is also blessed with a number of outstanding young passers including sophomores Tyler Bray of Tennessee, Georgia's Aaron Murray, A.J. McCarron of Alabama, Zach Mettenberger of LSU and Virginia Tech's Logan Thomas, while 6-6 redshirt freshman Blake Bell of Oklahoma looks to be the Sooners' heir apparent. Same story at Alabama where redshirt freshman QB Phillip Sims will battle soph A.J. McCarron for the starter's job, while incoming freshman QB Braxton Miller looks to be the future at Ohio State. Other intriguing freshman QBs include Jeff Driskel of Florida and Brett Hundley of UCLA, while Gunner Kiel, who committed to Indiana, and Jameis Winston who will be off to Florida State next year, are considered to be the top high school passers in the country. If you have comments or suggestions, e-mail the Editor, Great Blue North Draft Report. The GBN can also be reached by phone at (613) 692-1088 or regular mail at 320 Shadehill Crescent, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K2J 0L6. Great Blue North Draft Report Privacy Policy. The GREAT BLUE NORTH DRAFT REPORT is a division of SQUITERLAND ENTERPRISES, Ottawa, Ontario,Canada |