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CFC 2019 NFL Draft Board: QBs

I’ve got better hair than Mel Kiper, so why not have my own NFL Draft Big Board?

QB’s

Things can change as the season progresses, but presently it doesn’t seem like an overly deep group of quarterbacks, or at several other groups as well.

These are the guys I think are the best NFL prospects as of right now.

Seniors: 

1. Jay Finley – North Carolina State: Finley is not going to blow anyone away with his unlimited potential, but he is 6-4, 215 with most of the tools to be an NFL quarterback. His best quality is probably consistency. He’s pretty thin, but has escaped injury so far as a college quarterback. Finley started his career at Boise State, but transferred to North Carolina State and has thrown for 7,000 yards with almost an entire year left. With all of his experience, Finley will probably be the college quarterback most ready to play early in the NFL.

2. Will Grier – West Virginia: very highly recruited, Grier originally signed with the Florida Gators. Everybody knows the story, but Grier wound up at West Virginia and the guy has some talent. The flaw in the eyes of the NFL with Grier would be lack of prototypical quarterback size since he’s listed at only 6’2″. But, the NFL is hypocritical in almost everything and Baker Mayfield is supposed to be

6’1″ and that’s probably generous. Grier is not as flashy as Mayfield, but he’s an athletic quarterback that can escape the pass rush and make plays. As the season progresses, I might move Grier to number one on this list.

3. Drew Lock – Missouri: There was a time, in high school, that Drew Lock had to decide between

playing quarterback, or basketball. Those were the reports, but I never saw Lock play basketball and I don’t know who was recruiting him, or what level of talent he was. But, as a rule, I like football players that are talented athletes in other sports, especially basketball. Lock is in his fourth year as a starter at Missouri. Not all of those times have been great for him, but he came on strong midway through his junior season in 2017. Lock is listed at 6-4, 225 and he does have the big arm. While, he’s not Vince Young and able to win a national title while running through defenders, Lock is mobile enough to pick up first downs with his feet. He’s also got a quick release and throws a great deep ball.

4. Jake Browning – Washington: Another four year starter that is similar in size to Will Grier.  Browning’s best season, by far, was his sophomore year in 2016 when he led his Huskies to the playoffs. That season, he threw 43 touchdown passes including 17 to 4.2 speedster John Ross. Last season was not as productive for Browning, but the talent is still there. Browning is not known for his running, but he’s more than capable of extending plays with his feet.

5. Clayton Thorson – Northwestern: In Thorson’s very first game back in 2015, he scored the winning touchdown on a long run. At that time, he looked like a running quarterback. But, since then, Thorson has done very little running and has established himself as a legitimate NFL prospect at quarterback. Thorson is about 6-4, 225 and looks the part. His biggest issue has been throwing the ball to the wrong colored jerseys, with 12 picks in 2017 and 9 each in 2016 and 2015. In defense of Thorson, he has not had the super talented receivers that some quarterbacks have had.

6. Nick Fitzgerald – Miss State: Fitzgerald’s 2017 season ended with one of the ugliest injuries I have ever seen in the Egg Bowl against rival Ole Miss. Amazingly, in his first game back, Fitzgerald ran for 159 yards showing little sign of his horrific injury. This guy is really good sized at 6-5, 230 and he runs like a deer. If he gets behind defensive backs, there’s little chance he will be run down. He’s not known as a brilliant passer, but he can throw the football a little bit. I believe the previous coaching staff felt more comfortable with Fitzgerald running 80 yards with the ball instead of throwing.

7. Kyle Shurmur – Vanderbilt: Obviously the son of NFL coach Pat Shurmur. Son, Kyle, has been a long time starter at Vandy even starting some as a freshman. The 6-4, 225 Shurmur will get plenty of looks by the NFL for his name alone, but the kid can play a little bit and NFL teams are always desperate for good quarterbacks.

8. Taylor Cornelius – Oklahoma State: Mason Rudolph was a 4 year starter at Oklahoma State before being drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 3rd round of this year’s NFL Draft. The Steelers got a steal with Rudolph, who could be a long time starter for them. Taylor Cornelius was Rudolph’s long time back up and unlike most quarterbacks, Cornelius actually stuck it out to see what would happen. Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy is not only good at growing a mullet, but he can develop some quarterbacks. Cornelius is 6-6, 245 and I will be paying close attention to his senior season.

9. Trace McSorley – Penn State: I do know McSorley is small, but he’s also one of the more productive quarterbacks on the list. The best words to describe the 6-0, 200 McSorley are ‘he’s a winner’. He led his teams to state championships in high school and he led the Nittany Lions to a Big 10 title. He’s obviously on the small side and his arm strength is not the greatest, but this guy continues to win. If McSorley was 6-3, 220, he would be at the top of this list.

10. Justice Hansen – Arkansas State: Hansen originally signed with Oklahoma in 2014, but something else happened at Oklahoma in 2014. A young guy by the name of Baker Mayfield arrived on the scene. Hansen must have seen the writing on the wall and took off for Butler Community College where he played one season. From there, Hansen signed up with Arkansas State where he took over the starting job in 2016. The 2017 season was huge for Hansen when he threw for just under 4,000 yards and 37 touchdowns. The 6-4, 225 Hansen, should get plenty of attention from the NFL.

Others: 

Eric Dungey – Syracuse: Excellent skills and is pretty good when he’s not injured.

Brett Rypien – Boise State: Nephew of former NFL quarterback Mark Rypien of the Washington Redskins. He’s been a starter for 4 years with good results.

Manny Wilkins – Arizona State: Wilkins has taken on every challenger and held on to his job as the starter for the Sun Devils. Wilkins has a good arm and is very mobile and deserves some looks.

Jake Luton – Oregon State: Luton is not a starter for the Beavers. He started his college career at Idaho and then transferred to Utah State. Luton was named the starter in 2017, but was blamed for the offense failing and benched. Luton is supposedly 6-7, 235

Jordan Ta’amu – Ole Miss: Hawaiian Ta’amu took over for Shea Patterson and he looks really good. Good enough? We will see.
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Juniors: 

1. Justin Herbert – Oregon: The 6-6, 235  Herbert might be the first quarterback taken in next year’s draft. He’s got the size that the NFL covets so much, plus he has a big time arm. For a tall kid, Herbert can run pretty well. It’s hard to know what to expect out of new Oregon head coach Super Mario Cristobal. However, the Ducks are crushing some bad teams right now.

2. Brian Lewerke – Michigan State: Lewerke has been compared to Kirk Cousins, but right now the Spartans are in a struggle to stay afloat. Michigan State returned almost every starter from last year and the offensive line is strong, which makes the struggle even more puzzling. Lewerke is about 6-3, 230 with outstanding athleticism. He can absolutely run, but is not considered a duel threat quarterback.

3. Jarrett Stidham – Auburn: Out of high school, Stidham signed with Baylor. When the disaster hit at Baylor, Stidham hit the road. He went to a junior college that didn’t even offer football. Auburn won the second round of recruiting and the change in Auburn’s offense was immediate. Stidham is a playmaker and can make throws on the run with the best of them. Stidham was eligible to come out after last season and enter the draft and he no doubt will his year.

4. Daniel Jones – Duke: Jones was injured this past weekend and I am not sure how serious it is yet. If he is lost for the season, that will be a huge blow to Duke and to Jones. At 6-5, 220 Jones is still really thin, but he’s got that length that will make him popular with scouts. He’s also really quick for a tall, almost skinny quarterback.

5. Jake Bentley – South Carolina: In my opinion, this is a guy that should stay in school. He missed

his senior season in high school and is on the younger side. Bentley is maturing physically and is up to about 6-4, 225 and growing up in a coaching family helped i out with the mental side of the game. Bentley just needs to hook up with Bryan Edwards and Deebo Samuels and light up SEC defenses.

6. Shea Patterson – Michigan: Patterson was the top dual threat quarterback in the country a few years ago. After signing with Ole Miss, Patterson asked for a transfer to Michigan. He was granted immediate eligibility and started the Wolverines first game which was a loss to Notre Dame. Patterson was seen as some sort of savior for the Michigan program until the Fighting Irish game showed that he wasn’t. Still, he has a chance at being really good and he needs to stay in school, too.

7. Steven Montez – Colorado: This complete unknown from El Paso, Texas has really come a long way in a short time period. Nobody outside of the Buffaloes even recruited Montez, but Colorado wanted him and now he’s a very respectable quarterback. Montez has a good arm, but what is surprising about him is his running ability.

8 KJ Costello – Stanford: The Cardinal has had quarterback issues since Kevin Hogan used up his eligibility. But, Costello is finally starting to come into his own. With Bryce Love being shut down early this season, it was up to Costello to move the football and score some points and he came through. Costello is around 6-5, 215 with the makings of a good quarterback.

9. Nate Stanley – Iowa: A starter since his sophomore year, Stanley should be much improved this season. He’s a lot bigger, that’s for sure. He’s gone from 6-5, 215 to around 240 to 245. Iowa is just one of those conservative teams and they are not going to throw the ball all that much. But, Stanley is a big strong guy with a nice arm that needs to be watched.

10. Alex Hornibrook – Wisconsin: The Badgers love to run the ball like few others, but the left handed Hornibrook has the chance to take this program to another level with his arm.  In 2017, Hornibrook threw too many interceptions with 15 and he will need to cut down on those if the Badgers are to compete for a playoff spot. Hornibrook is about 6-4, 220 and is in his third season as a starter.

Others:

Brady White – Memphis: White is an Arizona State transfer and in his first year as starter.

Riley Neal – Ball State: Neal is 6-6, 225 and a multi-year starter.

Tyree Jackson – Buffalo: At 6-7, 245, Jackson is an intriguing quarterback prospect and could move up the list.

Tyler Wiegers – Eastern Michigan: Good year in the MAC for quarterbacks.

Brandon Wimbush – Notre Dame: Strong arm, lacks accuracy.

 

A couple more MAC quarterbacks to follow: 

Tony Poljan – Central Michigan: a 6-7, 235 sophomore with plenty of potential.

Woody Barrett – Kent State: An Auburn transfer and a guy to watch.