Quarterbacks:
This year’s quarterback class is wide open with no clear cut number 1. Any of these guys could play their way into the top spot with a big season. The quarterbacks this year are diverse in their skill sets. With some classic pocket passers, dual threats, and spread quarterbacks, NFL teams will have no problem finding what they need to fit their offenses come draft time. Even in a year of uncertainty the quarter position always finds its way to the top of the draft as it is the most coveted position in sports.
Sam Howell – 6’1” 220 – North Carolina – Junior – Rating (3.90)
2020 Stats: 12 Games / 68% completion / 3,586 passing yards / 30 Touchdown passes – 7 interceptions
146 Rushing yards – 5 touchdowns
Strengths: Arm Strength and accuracy on his deep ball.
Weakness: Can try to do too much when the pocket breaks down, which leads to turnovers
Player Comparison: Baker Mayfield – Cleveland Browns
Overall: Howell is a big play quarterback with an innate ability to get the ball downfield. In interviews, he clearly has cemented himself as a locker room leader and improved on some of his weaknesses in the offseason. The departures of North Carolina’s 2 leading rushers (Michael Carter & Javonte Williams) and 2 leading relievers (Dyami Brown & Dazz Newsome) to the NFL Draft Howell will face some obvious challenges developing new weapons. Having a veteran offensive line made up of 3 seniors and 2 juniors certainly will help speed up that development. Howells performances against Miami and on the road at Notre Dame will go a long way to proving he should be the number 1 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Matt Corral – 6’1” 205 – Ole Miss – RS Junior – Rating (3.90)
2020 Stats: 10 Games / 70.9% completion / 3337 passing yards / 29 Touchdown passes – 14 interceptions
506 rushing yards – 4 rushing touchdowns
Strengths: Extremely accurate with a big time arm.
Weakness: Turns the ball over too much.
Player Comparison: Teddy Bridgewater – Minnesota Vikings, New York Jets, New Orleans Saints, Carolina Panthers, Denver Broncos
Overall: Corral has been in preseason Heisman talks with a solid sophomore season under his belt. The redshirt junior has probably the best arm in this year’s crop of draft eligible quarterbacks. Corrals performances against LSU and Alabama were impressive but in 2021 will have to run the gauntlet of going to Alabama, Auburn, and a home game against Texas A&M. In order to raise his stock, Corral will have to take better care of the football and show both Rebel fans and NFL scouts he knows how to win.
Malik Willis – 6’1” 215 – Liberty – Junior – Rating (3.90)
2020 Stats: 10 Games / 64.2% completion /2250 passing yards / 20 Touchdown passes – 6 interceptions
944 rushing yards – 14 rushing touchdowns
Strengths: Dual threat, strong arm, and good touch on back shoulder fades, and deep throws.
Weakness: 1 year of experience against lesser competition
Player Comparison: Jalen Hurts –Philadelphia Eagles quarterback
Overall: Willis exploded on the scene last year with an electric season and his team finished 10-1. The Auburn transfer ran Hugh Freeze’s speed offense to perfection. He turned a lot of heads going to both Virginia Tech and Syracuse putting up big numbers. Malik Willis has all the tools to be a top quarterback in the country. Mark your Calendars for November 6th and a show down with fellow top signal caller Matt Corral of Ole Miss.
Spencer Rattler – 6’1” 205 – Oklahoma – Junior – Rating (3.80)
2020 Stats: 11 Games / 67.5% completion /3031 passing yards / 28 Touchdown Passes – 7 interceptions
160 Rushing yards – 6 touchdowns
Strengths: On the run he keeps his eyes downfield and in is very accurate.
Weakness: His footwork within the pocket is inconsistent.
Player Comparison: Alex Smith – 49ers, Chiefs, Washington.
Overall: The Oklahoma Sooner goes into the 2021 season with a ton of expectations. Those high expectations coming to fruition will rest heavily on the shoulders of Spencer Rattler. Rattler was a highly touted #1 quarterback coming out of high school. After playing limited snaps his freshman season, Rattler had a solid year for OU culminated by a win over Florida in the Cotton Bowl. The All-Big 12 1st team quarterback is a shifty runner and elusive in the pocket. His game is at its best when the play breaks down. He can buy time for himself with his feet and has great downfield vision to find open receivers. In a year when the number #1 pick is not clear cut Rattler certainly has the ability to follow in the footsteps of recent Sooner Qb’s (Baker Mayfield & Kyler Murray) and climb to the top of the draft.
Kedon Slovis – 6’2” 200 – USC – Senior – Rating (3.70)
2020 Stats: 6 Games / 67% completion /1921 passing yards / 17 Touchdown passes – 7 interceptions
Strengths: Excellent feet in the pocket, keeps plays alive, and he’s accurate in the short and intimidate throws.
Weakness: Locks on to one receiver and struggles vs. good zone coverage.
Player Comparison: Tony Romo – Former Dallas Cowboy
Overall: USC’s recent quarterback history hasn’t been great. Sanchez, Kessler, Barkley, and Darnold all were in that 6’2” 215-225 range with solid arms. These skill sets haven’t transferred to being elite NFL quarterbacks. Slovis has 18 starts for the Trojans, enters his junior year with 47 career touchdown passes, and some high expectations. Solvis ability to keep the play alive and find the open man will be the key to his success. In this pivotal season, the 3rd year starter has to make a jump to the next level to get him in talks for the top of the draft.
Carson Strong – 6’4” 215 – Nevada – RS Junior – Rating (3.50)
2020 Stats: 9 Games / 70.1% completion / 2858 passing yards / 27 Touchdown passes – 4 interceptions
Strengths: quick release, strong pocket passer
Weakness: Not very mobile, will need a solid offensive line at the next level to be successful.
Player Comparison: Poor man’s Troy Aikman – Dallas Cowboys
Overall: Strong was under recruited out of high school because of injury and got off to a slow start in his career at Nevada. In 2020 Carson Strong put himself on the map with an outstanding season for the 7-2 Nevada Wolf Pack. Nevada had one of the best passing attacks in the country behind 27 touchdown passes from Strong. Although the pocket passer has become a term that you would only read in history books, Strong is attempting to bring it back in style with his quick release and down field accuracy. The redshirt junior should have another outstanding season with a senior laden offensive line. Big play receivers Romeo Doubs (1002 yards in ‘20) and a returning Elijah Cooks (926 yards in ’19) with provide Strong with plenty of fire power to elevate his draft status.
Good analysis. How is the ND QB Jack Cone?
Jack was a full time starter for the first time next year. Definitely has the size and ability. Could move up quickly if he plays well against the schedule that Notre Dame plays.