2009 Quarterback Rankings
Sam Bradford**, Oklahoma
Height: 6-4. Weight: 214.
Projected 40 Time: 4.70.
Projected Round (2009): Top 3 Pick.
12/20/08: Of all the quarterbacks eligible for the 2009 NFL Draft, Sam Bradford is the guy who seems to have that special "it." The 2008 Heisman winner, Bradford commanded the best offense the nation has ever seen, throwing for 4,464 yards, 48 touchdowns and just six picks. He completed 68.3 percent of his passes with an amazing 10.1 YPA.
10/12/08: Oklahoma has a lot of work to do to get back into the national title picture, but that doesn't mean that Sam Bradford's draft stock is hurt in any way; through six games, Bradford has 2,052 yards, 23 touchdowns and only five interceptions.
3/26/08: Sam Bradford is going into his redshirt sophomore year, so he'll be eligible for the 2009 Draft. If he matches his 2007 numbers this upcoming year, I see no reason why he woudn't come out early. Bradford threw for 3,121 yards, 36 touchdowns and only eight picks - as a freshman. Unbelievable. Can we get a birth certificate?
Matt Stafford*, Georgia
Height: 6-3. Weight: 237.
Projected 40 Time: 4.74.
Projected Round (2009): Top 5 Pick.
12/20/08: Though he missed his stud left tackle the entire year, the strong-armed Matt Stafford compiled 3,209 yards, 22 touchdowns and nine interceptions. His YPA (9.1) and completion rate (61.1) were both lower than Sam Bradford's. I currently have Stafford going first in my 2009 NFL Mock Draft.
10/12/08: Unless Sam Bradford declares, Matt Stafford will be the first quarterback chosen in the 2009 NFL Draft if he decides to come out early. Like Tim Tebow, Stafford has an extremely high ceiling.
3/26/08: Matt Stafford improved upon his freshman campaign, throwing for 2,523 yards and 19 touchdowns. He did, however, complete just 55.7 percent of his passes.
2007: I'm not as high on Matt Stafford as other people are. Call me crazy, but I'm not sold on a guy who compiled way more picks (13) than touchdowns (7), even if he was a freshman. Stafford threw three interceptions against both Mississippi State and Kentucky - not the greatest opponents in the world.
Stafford looked good against Auburn (14-20, 219 yds, 7 carries, 83 rush yds, 2 total TDs) and Georgia Tech (16-29, 171 yds, 1 TD), but things fell apart for him in the Chick Fil-A Bowl against Virginia Tech, where he went 9-of-21 for 129 yards, one touchdown and an interception. Stafford doesn't have the greatest weapons to work with, so I admit that I'm being a little harsh in my criticism.
Tim Tebow*, Florida
Height: 6-3. Weight: 235.
Projected 40 Time: 4.52.
Projected Round (2009): Top 25 Pick.
12/20/08: Everyone knows what sort of an athlete Tim Tebow is. Even if he fails at quarterback, he still has a spot in the league. His greatest challenge will be adjusting from the spread offense to a pro-style attack. But many spread quarterbacks have been taken in the first round, including another Urban Meyer product (Alex Smith). Tebow has a much higher ceiling than the small-handed Smith, who was a fumbling machine waiting to happen.
10/12/08: While some may argue that Tim Tebow won't succeed in the NFL because he plays in Urban Meyer's spread offense, there's no doubt that many NFL GMs and coaches will fall in love with his physical attributes and his extremely high ceiling. He's still going in the first round if he declares early.
2007: ESPN's Jesse Palmer said that Tim Tebow moved himself into Heisman consideration in the wake of his performance at Ole Miss. I have to agree. Tebow's passing numbers were great - 20-of-34, 262 yards, two touchdowns - but his rushing numbers were downright spectacular (26 carries, 164 yards, two more scores).
Tebow passed his first true test with flying colors. The sophomore was 14-of-19 for 299 yards, two touchdowns and one interception against Tennessee. He also rushed for 61 yards and two more scores on the ground.
Where will Tim Tebow be drafted? Check out the Great Tim Tebow Debate and vote!
Colt McCoy*, Texas
Height: 6-3. Weight: 205.
Projected 40 Time: 4.69.
Projected Round (2009): Top 25 Pick.
12/20/08: With a completion percentage of 77.6, a YPA of 9.2, a passing touchdown-to-interception ratio of 32 to 7, 576 rushing yards and 10 rushing scores, many can argue that Colt McCoy should have won the Heisman.
10/12/08: Forget the sophomore slump. Colt McCoy is red-hot this season. His completion percentage is a shade off 80! He has 17 touchdowns and just three picks. His YPA is 9.9. He was brilliant against Oklahoma, going 28-of-35, 277 yards and a score.
3/26/08: Colt McCoy had a disappointing sophomore year, throwing 18 picks after just seven in 2006. His completion percentage dropped three points as well.
2007: McCoy threw interceptions like a madman in a 20-point loss to Kansas State. Through five games, he has way more picks than he had as a freshman.
McCoy's freshman campaign reminds me a bit of Philip Rivers' 2006 season. The Longhorns, much like Marty Schottenheimer, didn't let their young quarterback loose until midway through the season.
When McCoy was allowed to fire at will, he tore it up. He threw for six touchdowns against Baylor. He compiled 346 yards and three scores against Oklahoma State. He accumulated 256 yards and four touchdowns at Texas Tech. He was 26-of-40 for 308 yards and two scores in the Alamo Bowl against Iowa. There's no reason to think McCoy will regress; he has great weapons at his disposal and plays in a weak conference.
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Mark Sanchez*, USC
Height: 6-3. Weight: 225.
Projected 40 Time: 4.71.
Projected Round (2009): 2-3.
12/20/08: Finished the year with 2,794 yards, 30 touchdowns and 10 picks, with a YPA of 8.4 and a completion percentage of 64.4. However, Mark Sanchez can't really read defenses, a disability which is masked by the talent around him and the fact that he's always playing with a huge lead (thanks to his great defense and weak opponents).
10/12/08: Mark Sanchez entered the Arizona State game with a completion rate of 66.7, 13 touchdowns, three picks and a YPA of 8.9. Unfortunately, he tossed three picks against the Sun Devils. Sanchez is a mid-to-late first-round prospect if he declares early. I doubt he does; we've seen USC quarterbacks play through their eligibility in the past. Trojan boosters must be paying them a great salary (not that there's anything wrong with that; lots of schools do it anyway).
3/26/08: Will likely take over for John David Booty in 2008. Only threw seven passes as a freshman, so there isn't much film to digest.
Nate Davis*, Ball State
Height: 6-2. Weight: 217.
Projected 40 Time: 4.77.
Projected Round (2009): 2-3.
12/20/08: Before choking in the MAC Championship that no one watched (seriously, Ford Field was empty), Nate Davis accumulated 3,446 yards, 26 touchdowns and seven picks, giving him a 66.9 completion percentage and a 9.3 YPA.
7/24/08: Another MAC quarterback. Nate Davis compiled 3,667 yards, 30 touchdowns and just six interceptions. Pretty impressive, huh? Well, let's look at how Davis fared against BCS schools. Excluding Nebraska (because Bill Callahan is an idiot), Davis barely managed to complete 50 percent of his passes against Rutgers, Illinois and Indiana. Four of his six picks were so there isn't much film to digest.
Josh Freeman*, Kansas State
Height: 6-6. Weight: 249.
Projected 40 Time: 4.83.
Projected Round (2009): 3.
12/20/08: Once a possible lower-end first-round prospect, Josh Freeman struggled in the second half of the season, and has now possibly fallen to Day 2 status. In his last six games, Freeman had eight touchdowns and six picks, and had a completion percentage around 52.
10/12/08: Josh Freeman is having the best season of his collegiate career. Through six games, he has 12 touchdowns, two picks, a completion percentage of 65.6 and a YPA greater than nine.
Graham Harrell, Texas Tech
Height: 6-2. Weight: 206.
Projected 40 Time: 4.73.
Projected Round (2009): 3.
12/20/08: No Texas Tech quarterback has recently made the jump to the NFL successfully, but Graham Harrell has the best chance to do so. He finished with 4,747 yards, 41 touchdowns and seven picks, with a completion percentage of 71.5 and a YPA of 8.4.
10/12/08: Graham Harrell could be the best NFL prospect to come out of Texas Tech in its current regime, but that's not saying much. Harrell has a shot to go in the fifth round. He'll likely be a career backup in the NFL.
3/26/08: Another Texas Tech quarterback? Sort of - Graham Harrell is much better than any of his predecessors. Still, it's a bit scary to take a signal caller from a school that has produced nothing but NFL duds (see Florida Gators as another example). Harrell, like Chase Holbrook and Colton Brennan, produces disgusting numbers because of his offense. He threw for 5,705 yards, 48 touchdowns and 14 interceptions in 2007.
2007: Something scouts won't be able to measure is Harrell's ability to perform in the clutch. Down 31 points with less than eight minutes remaining in the third quarter against Minnesota, Harrell engineered the greatest comeback in bowl history, beating the pathetic Golden Gophers, 44-41.
Rhett Bomar, Sam Houston State
Height: 6-2. Weight: 218.
Projected 40 Time: 4.72.
Projected Round (2009): 3-4.
12/20/08: Led Sam Houston State with 3,355 yards, 27 touchdowns and 13 picks.
10/12/08: Through three games: 62-of-97, 878 yards. Ten touchdowns, three interceptions, 9.1 YPA.
3/26/08: Remember when this guy looked pretty impressive as a red-shirt freshman in Oklahoma? Well, after being dismissed for taking money from boosters and missing the entire 2006 season, Rhett Bomar resurfaced and compiled 2,209 yards and 10 touchdowns in nine starts in 2007.
Nathan Brown, Central Arkansas
Height: 6-1. Weight: 212.
Projected 40 Time: 4.77.
Projected Round (2009): 3-4.
12/20/08: Get ready to watch Nathan Brown at the Senior Bowl. He had 10,558 yards and 100 touchdown in his career, but it remains to be seen if he can play with the big boys.
10/12/08: I don't get to see many Central Arkansas games, but Nathan Brown puts up monstrous numbers and was recently called the best quarterback to ever play in the state of Arkansas. Not too shabby.
3/26/08: The Southland Offensive Player of the Year, Nathan Brown compiled 3,084 yards, 26 touchdowns and 10 picks as a junior. Level of competition is obviously an issue, but he's worth consideration in the third or fourth rounds.
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Mike Reilly, Central Washington
Height: 6-3. Weight: 215.
Projected 40 Time: 4.80.
Projected Round (2009): 4-5.
12/20/08: Will play in the Texas vs. the Nation All-Star Game. He compiled 3,706 yards, 37 touchdowns and only six picks as a senior.
3/26/08: A transfer from Washington State. Mike Reilly compiled 3,386 yards and 30 touchdowns, maintaining a completion percentage of 62.3 in 2007.
John Parker Wilson, Alabama
Height: 6-2. Weight: 209.
Projected 40 Time: 4.72.
Projected Round (2009): 5-6.
12/20/08: Alabama fans aren't a big fan of his, though that means nothing because I know several Boston College alumni who didn't think too highly of Matt Ryan's career prospects. Wilson threw just nine touchdowns to six picks. He had 2,096 yards, a YPA of 7.2 and a completion percentage of 57.7.
10/12/08: Potentially a career backup in the NFL despite a solid senior campaign.
2007: John Parker Wilson doesn't exactly have the size that will make scouts salivate, but he has shown the ability to come up large in the clutch. Wilson was 16-of-20 for 243 yards and three scores at Arkansas. He was also 22-of-35 for 291 yards, two touchdowns and a pick at LSU. Any quarterback who can put up those numbers against LSU, especially on the road, has my respect.
Rudy Carpenter, Arizona State
Height: 6-2. Weight: 199.
Projected 40 Time: 4.80.
Projected Round (2009): 5-6.
12/20/08: An All-Pac 10 honorable mention; Rudy Carpenter had 16 touchdowns and nine picks.
10/12/08: Rudy Carpenter played well against Georgia, but he was just a combined 31-of-55, 291 yards, one touchdown and three picks against Cal and USC.
3/26/08: Rudy Carpenter puts up some nice stats - for the most part. He threw for 3,202 yards, 25 touchdowns and only 10 picks in 2007. So, what's the problem? Carpenter was sacked 54 times. The Sun Devils currently have the top center prospect in the 2008 Draft, so it's not like he had no protection.
Hunter Cantwell, Louisville
Height: 6-5. Weight: 230.
Projected 40 Time: 4.79.
Projected Round (2009): 5-6.
12/20/08: Hunter Cantwell didn't have much talent around him this year, but that doesn't excuse throwing as many picks (16) as touchdowns. He also had a depressing 6.6 YPA in a terrible conference.
10/12/08: So much for all that hype. Hunter Cantwell has very pedestrian numbers (56.9 completion percentage, 6.6 YPA, 7-to-6 touchdown-to-interception ratio). He's now a long shot to be drafted on Day 1.
2007: This is sort of like the Carson Palmer-Matt Leinart situation at USC. Hunter Cantwell stepped in for an injured Brian Brohm in 2006 and threw for 700 yards, five touchdowns and two picks, maintaining a completion percentage of 64.3. One of the top prospects in the nation who will have to wait until the 2008 season to play.
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David Johnson, Tulsa
Height: 6-3. Weight: 220.
Projected 40 Time: 4.75.
Projected Round (2009): 6.
12/20/08: David Johnson finished the season with a 3,866 yards, 43 touchdowns and 18 picks. Most impressive was his sterling 10.3 YPA. An All-Conference USA honorable mention.
Tom Brandstater, Fresno State
Height: 6-5. Weight: 220.
Projected 40 Time: 4.77.
Projected Round (2009): 6-7.
12/20/08: Finished with 2,478 yards, 17 touchdowns and 11 picks, giving him a 59.8 completion rate and a 7.1 YPA.
10/12/08: It's a good sign that Tom Brandstater's YPA has risen every year, though he's coming off an abysmal three-interception performance against Hawaii.
3/26/08: After a miserable sophomore campaign, Tom Brandstater finally lived up to the hype, as he managed 2,654 yards, 15 touchdowns and just five interceptions in 2007.
Cullen Harper, Clemson
Height: 6-4. Weight: 215.
Projected 40 Time: 4.79.
Projected Round (2009): 6-7.
12/20/08: Tommy Bowden may have ruined Cullen Harper's career. Once a first-round prospect, Harper is in danger of not getting drafted. He was pretty terrible this season.
10/12/08: After several poor performances, Cullen Harper has been benched. Hey, it's not his fault his coach sucks. Kyle Orton was also benched in his senior season, and he was drafted in the fourth round. Joe Tiller is also a fool.
3/26/08: In his first season of extensive action, Cullen Harper threw for 2,887 yards, 27 touchdowns and only six interceptions. He qualified for the 2007 All-ACC Second Team.
Curtis Painter, Purdue
Height: 6-4. Weight: 223.
Projected 40 Time: 4.85.
Projected Round (2009): 7.
12/20/08: Curtis Painter had 13 touchdowns and 11 picks, and a pedestrian YPA of 6.3. I blame Joe Tiller, who can't coach his way out of a paper bag.
10/12/08: Like Cullen Harper, Curtis Painter was benched. Joe Tiller has a habit of benching talented quarterbacks in their senior seasons. Remember, Kyle Orton was also benched in 2004. He was taken in the fourth round. Perhaps Tiller is too busy ruining Purdue's football program to fully develop his signal callers.
3/26/08: Curtis Painter threw for less yardage (3.846) than he did as a sophomore, but he compiled more touchdowns (29 to 22), less interceptions (11 to 19) and a higher completion percentage (62.6 to 59.4).
Painter threw for more yards (3,985) last year than any player in Purdue history, which includes Drew Brees and Kyle Orton. That said, after starting hot in 2006, Painter was largely ineffective against Wisconsin (20-40, 187 yds, 1 INT), Penn State (22-39, 184 yds, 2 INTs), Illinois (20-42, 229 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT) and Indiana (4 INTs).
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Drew Willy, Buffalo
Height: 6-3. Weight: 214.
Projected 40 Time: 4.87.
Projected Round (2009): 7.
12/20/08: Impressive. Had just 25 touchdowns to just five picks. Didn't even have to turn himself into an alien in the MAC Championship.
10/12/08: Doctor Wily... I mean Drew Willy has 12 touchdowns, three picks, a completion rate of 63.6 and a YPA of 7.9 as a senior. Strengths: Making Mega Man's life miserable. Weaknesses: Bubble Lead, Top Spin, Cement Shot.
Chris Pizzotti, Harvard
Height: 6-6. Weight: 225.
Projected 40 Time: 4.92.
Projected Round (2009): 7-FA.
12/20/08: Named the Ivy League Player of the Year. Let's hope he's better than Harvard alumnus Ryan Fitzpatrick.
Willie Tuitama, Arizona
Height: 6-3. Weight: 211.
Projected 40 Time: 4.78.
Projected Round (2009): 7-FA.
12/20/08: Completing 64.6 percent of his passes, Willie Tuitama managed 2,763 yards, 21 scores and eight interceptions.
10/12/08: Willie Tuitama isn't pro material, but he'll garner some draft consideration because he's having a great senior season.
3/26/08: Put up solid numbers as a junior (3,683 yards, 28 touchdowns, 12 picks) and only had one really bad game (at Oregon State). Even against USC, Willie Tuitama managed to complete 30-of-43 attempts for 233 yards.
Brian Johnson, Utah
Height: 6-1. Weight: 200.
Projected 40 Time: 4.84.
Projected Round (2009): 7-FA.
12/20/08: Though undersized, Brian Johnson commanded potential national champion Utah with 2,636 yards, 24 touchdowns and nine interceptions.
Joe Ganz, Nebraska
Height: 6-1. Weight: 200.
Projected 40 Time: 4.65.
Projected Round (2009): 7-FA.
12/20/08: Finished the year with 23 touchdowns and 10 picks. He had 3,329 yards, a completion percentage of 69.2 and an impressive YPA of 8.7.
3/26/08: Considering what he was able to accomplish at the end of the 2007 season, it'll be exciting to watch Joe Ganz this year, especially now that Nebraska fans won't have to worry about Bill Callahan screwing up any gameplans. In just three starts, Ganz threw for 1,399 yards, 15 touchdowns and seven picks. Nebraska scored 163 points in those three contests.
Chase Daniel, Missouri
Height: 6-0. Weight: 223.
Projected 40 Time: 4.58.
Projected Round (2009): 7-FA.
10/12/08: Beautiful numbers (16 TDs, 4 INTs, 10.7 YPA, 76.3 completion) but Chase Daniels has height and arm-strength issues.
2007: Chase Daniel's 6-foot frame really hurts him. Plenty of small quarterbacks have succeeded in the NFL, so that doesn't mean Daniel will be a bad signal caller; it just means he won't get drafted as high as he should.
One attribute that will help Daniel is his scrambling ability; he's quick and has shown that he's capable of picking up yards on the ground. In terms of passing, Daniel completed more than 50 percent in every single game. He ended his 2006 campaign with three interception-less games. He threw for 240 or more yards 11 times, finishing with 3,527 yards, 28 touchdowns and just 10 picks.
Chase Holbrook, New Mexico State
Height: 6-5. Weight: 235.
Projected 40 Time: 4.75.
Projected Round (2009): 7-FA.
12/20/08: Finished the year with 25 touchdowns, 14 picks and 3,361 yards (7.4 YPA, 67.6 completion).
10/12/08: Chase Holbrook is playing like he did in 2006; he has 13 touchdowns, six picks and a YPA of 8.5.
3/26/08: Chase Holbrook regressed in 2007; after 34 touchdowns and nine picks as a sophomore, Holbrook had 26 touchdowns and 18 interceptions last season.
2007: Thanks to the ESPN Hype Machine, everyone talks about Colton Brennan, and not Holbrook. Yet, both are very similar collegiate quarterbacks - they put up sick numbers in gimmicky offenses. At 6-5, 235, Holbrook is a better pro prospect than Brennan (6-3, 196), in my opinion.
Holbrook threw for 4,619 yards, 34 touchdowns and just nine interceptions as a sophomore last year. In his final game against Louisiana Tech, he was 41-of-54 for 514 yards and three touchdowns. An even more amazing statistic is that Holbrook finished the 2006 campaign with 179 consecutive passes without a pick.
Brian Hoyer, Michigan State
Height: 6-3. Weight: 215.
Projected 40 Time: 4.83.
Projected Round (2009): FA.
12/20/08: A completion rate of 50.8, and a touchdown-to-interception ratio of nine to eight won't get Brian Hoyer drafted. There's a very small chance of that happening. 10/12/08: After a solid junior campaign, Brian Hoyer has struggled, failing to complete 50 percent of his passes.
3/26/08: Brian Hoyer was pretty impressive in 2007, considering he was a first-year starter. He accumulated 2,725 yards, 20 touchdowns and 11 picks.
Todd Boeckman, Ohio State
Height: 6-5. Weight: 243.
Projected 40 Time: 4.76.
Projected Round (2009): FA.
10/12/08: Benched A long shot to be drafted.
3/26/08: Todd Boeckman improved throughout the 2007 campaign but looked very mediocre against LSU in the national championship, going 15-of-26 for 208 yards, two touchdowns and two picks.
2007: A massive quarterback with a great arm, Todd Boeckman really proved himself by throwing for 257 yards and three scores at Penn State.
Sean Glennon, Virginia Tech
Height: 6-4. Weight: 225.
Projected 40 Time: 4.69.
Projected Round (2009): FA.
10/12/08: Benched. So much for being more consistent.
3/26/08: Needs to be more consistent to warrant draft consideration.
Stephen McGee, Texas A&M
Height: 6-3. Weight: 208.
Projected 40 Time: 4.68.
Projected Round (2009): FA.
12/20/08: Won't be surprised if Mike Sherman ruins many an NFL career in College Station.
10/12/08: Hasn't played much because of a shoulder injury.
3/26/08: After throwing just three picks in his first two years, Stephen McGee tossed eight interceptions in 2007.
2007: McGee was very inconsistent last year. For example, he was 19-of-23 for 183 yards and a score against Missouri. Three weeks later, he completed just eight passes (and one interception) in a 17-16 loss to Oklahoma. McGee was only a sophomore, but he needs to grow considerably over the next two years.
Nate Longshore, California
Height: 6-5. Weight: 233.
Projected 40 Time: 4.88.
Projected Round (2009): FA.
12/20/08: Didn't play much as a senior. A camp invite at best.
10/12/08: On and off the bench this year. Probably won't be drafted.
3/26/08: Nate Longshore regressed in his junior year after a solid sophomore campaign. He threw only 16 touchdowns and managed a completion percentage under 60. One has to wonder how much he'll struggle without DeSean Jackson, Lavelle Hawkins and Craig Stevens in 2008.
Bobby Reid, Texas Southern
Height: 6-3. Weight: 235.
Projected 40 Time: 4.63.
Projected Round (2009): FA.
3/26/08: Bobby Reid was the quarterback that sparked the controversy between Oklahoma State's head coach and the media. Reid was reported as being a soft player whose mother fed him chicken after the game. I'd comment on this, but I don't want Mike Gundy slitting my throat or anything.
2007: A tremendous athlete, Bobby Reid leads a potent Oklahoma State offense that averaged 39.2 points per game in 2006. But that doesn't mean Reid's a great prospect. The rising junior failed to complete more than 50 percent of his passes on four occasions. He was also very inconsistent, going 23-of-35 for 411 yards and five scores at Kansas, and 11-of-31 for 145 yards, one touchdown and a pick at Texas Tech.
Reid's a scrambling quarterback, so he can get out of tight situations when pass protection fails, but his aerial game leaves much to be desired. Furthermore, one can only speculate how effective (or rather, ineffective) Reid will be once Adarius Bowman moves on to the NFL.
Chase Clement, Rice -
Height: 6-1. Weight: 210. Projected 40 Time: 4.70. Projected Round (2009): FA. Chris Crane, Boston College -
Height: 6-4. Weight: 240. Projected 40 Time: 4.90. Projected Round (2009): FA. Mike Teel, Rugers -
Height: 6-4. Weight: 220. Projected 40 Time: 4.83. Projected Round (2009): FA. Keith Null, West Texas A&M -
Height: 6-4. Weight: 222. Projected 40 Time: 5.00. Projected Round (2009): FA.
