Disclaimer: These comparisons are made in relation to physical attributes and playing style rather than career projections (unless noted). If I left someone off, it's not an indictment on their skill level or where I think they should be ranked. This is NOT my ranking of top 2011 quarterbacks. Prospects are listed in alphabetical order.
Michael Brewer (Texas Tech Verbal)- Todd Reesing (Kansas)
Why? Undersized playmakers at the high school and college level...have been prolific in pretty much every situation...gun slinger mentality, not afraid to stick the ball in a tight window...products of Big XII style spread offenses that are all the rage in Texas high school football.
Why Not? Doubtful Brewer will see as many reps early in his career as Reesing, considering Texas Tech has a bevy of talented quarterbacks on roster.
If not Reesing, then- Chase Daniel (Missouri, New Orleans Saints)
Jacoby Brissett (Florida State, South Carolina, Wisconisn, etc. in contention)- Josh Freeman (Kansas St., Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Why? Big, athletic quarterbacks with tools...very strong arms...could have a similar career trajectory, in that potential isn't realized until four or five years out of high school (see Freeman's recent success in the NFL). Underdeveloped at the high school level, but very high ceiling as a player.
Why Not? Both play(ed) basketball (very well at that), with Brissett being the better player but Freeman being the better athlete (Brissett is more of a savvy player). Freeman was a bit stronger and more explosive at similar points in their careers. It's also difficult to predict a path like Freeman, who benefited from early playing time at Kansas State.
If not Freeman, then- Ben Roethlisberger (Miami (OH), Pittsburgh Steelers)
Jeff Driskel (Florida Verbal)- Jay Cutler (Vanderbilt, Denver Broncos, Chicago Bears)
Why? Both have huge arms and a gun slinger mentality...fairly similar mechanically...have a tendency/need to put the team on their backs which can lead to both great plays and mistakes due to pressing...underrated athletically (Driskel runs well and Cutler doubled as a star safety and basketball player in high school).
Why Not? Driskel is much bigger and stronger than Cutler was at the same stage in their careers. It will be interesting to see how Driskel is used at Florida...it's possible that he'll play in a scheme that's differs from Vandy's during the Cutler era.
If not Cutler, then- Rhett Bomar (Oklahoma, Sam Houston St, New York Giants) or Brady Quinn (Notre Dame, Cleveland Browns, Denver Broncos)
Everett Golson (North Carolina Verbal, taking official visit to Notre Dame)- Charlie Ward (Florida State, New York Knicks (NBA))
Why? Similar point guard mentality while running a spread offense...great pocket presence and able to steal (not buy) time in the pocket to extend plays...excellent agility and change of direction...excellent vision as a passer and ability to make almost every throw at the college level.
Why Not? Ward is an inch or two taller and was a tad thicker in college (played at 190), but I expect Golson to be in that weight range by the time he's an upperclassman. Playing in a pass-heavy scheme Golson is more experienced as a passer at this stage, whereas Ward was a better runner/scrambler early on.
If not Ward, then- Joe Hamilton (Georgia Tech, Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Cody Kessler (Southern Cal Verbal)- Chad Henne (Michigan, Miami Dolphins)
Why? Stocky pocket passers with ability to make every throw...strong arms...polished at similar points in their careers...great fit for pro-style offenses...similar competitive mindset as both have the moxie and attitude you'd like to see from your starting quarterback...despite holding the ball differently, have a similar throwing motion and release point.
Why Not? Kessler holds the ball higher (near his ear) while Henne holds it down near his chest. Kessler is a better athlete at this point (star basketball player).
If not Henne, then- David Garrard (East Carolina, Jacksonville Jaguars)
Christian LeMay (Georgia Verbal)- John Brantley (Florida)
Why? Very polished mechanically...spin the ball exceptionally well...played in similar balanced offenses for great programs at the high school level...similar size and physical tools as prospects...not huge running threats, but mobile in the pocket and can pick up yards when needed...both groomed to be quarterbacks.
Why Not? Appear to differ mentally...Brantley is laid back, while LeMay is more of a vocal leader.
If not Brantley, then- Chris Leak (Florida)
Braxton Miller (Ohio State Verbal)- Robert Griffin, III (Baylor)
Why? Similar physically...both long-striding and electric...exceptional cutback ability as a runner...can really bust through the crease...long arms offer the ability to really "ride out" reads in the spread option game...strong arm capable of making every throw at the college level...raw as a passer coming out of high school.
Why Not? Griffin has better passing mechanics overall with a more natural throwing motion...Miller is a better leader at similar points in their careers.
If not Griffin, then- Pat White (West Virginia, Miami Dolphins)
Jerrard Randall (Oregon Verbal)- Tyrod Taylor (Virginia Tech)
Why? Shorter QB with a big arm...raw and underdeveloped as a passer in high school...plays/played a sandlot style of offense at the high school level...athletic and quick in the run game on both designed runs and scrambles.
Why Not? Since he's going to Oregon to play in a spread option offense, Randall's career trajectory is going to be different than Taylor's, who is in more of a pro-style system at Virginia Tech. Taylor is thicker than Randall and a little ahead fundamentally at the same stage.
If not Taylor, then- Brent Schaeffer (Tennessee, Ole Miss)
Bubba Starling (Nebraska Verbal)- Cam Newton (Florida, Auburn)
Why? Jumbo athletes who can really, really run...ability to run with both power and breakaway speed...strong arm...raw as passers at the high school level
Why Not? Starling is more experienced as a runner at the high school level...Newton really blossomed as a runner late in his senior year and early on at Florida...Newton has much better passing mechanics and appears to be more of a natural at the position. It should also be noted that Starling is a top baseball prospect and it's unlikely he'll be in a football uniform next season.
If not Newton, then- Tim Tebow (Florida, Denver Broncos)
Jamal Turner (Nebraska Verbal)- Russell Sheppard (LSU)
Why? Athlete playing quarterback moreso than quarterback who happens to be an athlete...run-first mentality...position change (slot wide receiver) eminent.
Why Not? It's not debatable at this point that Sheppard is more explosive than Turner.
If not Sheppard, then- Tyrik Rollison (Auburn, Sam Houston State)
Justin Worley (Tennessee Verbal)- Nick Foles (Michigan State, Arizona)
Why? Finesse rhythm passers...capable ball distributors with nice touch...accurate in the short passing game...good size with ability to see over the defensive line...limited mobility...can be a statue in the pocket which can lead to problems vs. pressure-oriented defenses...solid leadership ability and calm under pressure.
Why Not? Foles is thicker and has a quicker release (though Worley's has improved a little)...Foles also has a stronger arm, but not by a wide margin.
If not Foles, then- Tony Pike (Cincinnati, Carolina Panthers)
No comments:
Post a Comment