1. Matt Leinart – USC Trojans – 6’5” 225 lbs.

Positives

Matt has the prototypical size for a NFL quarterback. Even though he’s most comfortable in the pocket he has enough athletic ability to get outside the pocket and still throw with decent accuracy. He is extremely poised and very cool under pressure. He is very adept at making the big throw when needed. He has good mechanics, holding the ball high, setting up properly, and has a good over the head release. He gets the ball out with good velocity and shows great timing and touch on his passes. He makes good decisions with the football and has improved his ability to look off the defense in his senior year.

Negatives

He doesn't have a cannon for an arm, and sometimes his deep passes tend to sail. He is elusive in the pocket, but is not a threat to run. His ball security is poor when scrambling as often he waves the ball around when trying to run upfield.

Numbers Games

200 in 36 - He’s thrown for at least 200 yards in 36 games, a Pac-10 record.

NFL Comparison

Tom Brady

Summary

Matt Leinart is a proven winner, going 37-2 as a starter. His arm strength may be lacking but he more than makes up for that with his accuracy and decision making. It looks as though Matt will be a top 5 pick in the upcoming NFL draft.

2. Vince Young - Texas Longhorns - 6’5” 230 lbs.

Positives

Vince Young is a great athlete with outstanding speed. He has superior quickness, agility, and vision and is a threat to take it the distance on nearly every play. He can throw very effectively when on the run, using his foot speed to create separation from the defense. He is a very fiery competitor and a leader on the field. When forced beyond the line of scrimmage Young can easily elude defensive linemen or linebackers. Vince also has the leg strength to run through arm tackles if needed. He knows when to zip passes, or when touch is needed. He is very adept at the short passing game and when given time, makes good decisions with the football.

Negatives

His mechanics when throwing the football leave much to be desired. He holds the ball too low, and has a ¾ almost sidearm release. This enables defensive lineman to bat down a lot of passes from Young. He has a big wind up for deep passes which takes up precious time. He struggles to read complicated coverages and can be duped into making ill-advised throws. He lacks touch on deep passes and needs to do a better job of anticipating a receiver’s break down the field.

Numbers Games

28 interceptions/ 29 fumbles/ 37 career games – Vince Young needs to do a better job of ball security at the next level.

NFL Comparison

Michael Vick

Summary

Vince Young is someone who can make plays when there is seemingly nothing to gain. He will need to have a strong QB coach to help teach him the finer points, but he has the raw skill and determination to be a very good QB in the NFL. Young should not be rushed along, and should be allowed to mature at a proper pace (ala Steve McNair) to ensure the greatest rewards from his natural ability.

3. Jay Cutler - Vanderbilt Commodores - 6’3” 223 lbs.

Positives

Jay Cutler is a tough, well built athlete with a great will to win. Cutler was sacked 64 times in the last 3 years, yet has only missed 3 quarters of one game and 1 quarter of another due to injury. He has a nice quick release and is very adept at hitting his receivers in stride. He excels at short area passing but can take shots down the field when necessary. He has good mobility in the pocket and shows good quickness in his 3,5, and 7 step drops. He can elude the rush and make plays with either his feet or his arm. He has quick feet and a good initial burst when he decides to scramble.

Negatives

Cutler can be forced into making bad decisions. Part of this has to do with the shoddy protection he received while in college. He tends to lock onto his initial target, although he has shown some improvement in this area last season. He must learn how to anticipate his receivers better as he saw 74 passes broken up by defensive backs in 2005. He needs to step into his long throws to make the most of his arm strength.

Numbers Games

45 - Jay Cutler started every single game he ever played for Vanderbilt.

NFL Comparison

David Carr

Summary

Jay Cutler is an intelligent field general that can move the chains. He has a dedicated work ethic and spends a lot of time in the film room. A student of the game, Cutler is known to be a quick study, which will surely help him in the NFL.

4. Omar Jacobs - Bowling Green Falcons - 6’4” 224 lbs.

Positives

Jacobs has a great frame and is very well built. He has great upper body strength, which enables him to take a pounding or bull over would be tacklers. He has a very capable arm and shows good touch on the long pass, dropping the ball just over his receiver’s outside shoulder. He has good footwork in the pocket and sets up well. His release is quick and he steps into his throws consistently. He can excel in the short passing game as well, and often he shows touch when lobbing the ball over the defense on a screen pass. He is an explosive runner and can threaten the 2nd level of a defense with his running ability.

Negatives

Omar is a dangerous runner, but must secure the ball better when he scrambles. He sustained a shoulder (non-throwing) injury in 2005 and didn't seem to be the same when he came back for the final 2 games. His release point is low, due to his ¾ release and thus a high number of his passes can be batted down at the line of scrimmage.

Numbers Games

41-4 - In 2004 Omar set a NCAA season record for touchdown to interception ratio.

NFL Comparison

Donovan McNabb

Summary

We've seen that Jacobs can be a big time playmaker, as evidenced by his 2004 season. His draft stock is considered to be falling by some. This QB class has three elite prospects, followed by a group of average 2nd tier talent. Jacobs is at the top of that 2nd tier, but could be a big time draft day steal in the long run.

5. Brodie Croyle - Alabama Crimson Tide - 6’2” 200 lbs.

Positives

Brodie Croyle is a quarterback that does everything well. He sets up nicely in the pocket, displaying good footwork on his 3,5, and 7 step drops. He has decent accuracy and good touch on the short and intermediate routes. He’s shown a great ability to lead the team down the field and take what the defense gives him. He makes good decisions with the football and rarely forces the ball into coverage. He’s a very tough player and a student of the game that spends a lot of time behind the scenes studying for games. He goes through his progressions well and is adept at looking off a defense.

Negatives

Croyle is not very mobile and has had 2 ACL injuries (one on each knee) in the last 4 years. He seemed to struggle in the last 3 games of the season and some wonder if his confidence is shaken. He has a slight build and needs to add 10-15 pounds to be able to take a NFL beating. When flushed from the pocket his mechanics throwing the ball suffer and he sometimes reverts to a ¾ sidearm release.

Numbers Games

190 - In 2005 Croyle set an Alabama record with 190 straight passes without an interception.

NFL Comparison

Matt Mauck

Summary

Brodie Croyle will have to prove that he has a clean bill of health for a NFL team to take a chance on him. He is a savvy quarterback and should get drafted somewhere at the start of the 2nd day of the draft. If he can stay healthy he could easily be a solid backup quarterback in this league for years to come. And if given the opportunity Croyle could be a good starter in the right system.

6. Bruce Gradkowski - Toledo Rockets - 6’2” 222 lbs.

Positives

Bruce Gradkowski is a mobile quarterback that can beat you with his arm or his feet. He is a fierce leader on the field and has total command of his huddle. Gradkowski is best throwing the underneath routes, and is deadly accurate on crossing routes and fade stops. When the pressure is on Gradkowski is at his best, often breaking into the 2nd level of the defense with a quick initial burst that takes many by surprise. He is a dangerous roll out passer that can set up and zip the ball past the defense with touch and accuracy. He is very good at spreading the ball around and has tremendous field vision, often checking down to his 3rd or 4th receiver. Has a great over the top release that makes his passes more difficult to bat down.

Negatives

His hands are small and thus this leads to some fumbling issues and ball security problems. He makes good decisions with the football, but doesn't make snap decisions so the pass rush can get to him if they’re persistent. He has adequate arm strength, but cannot put the proper zip on the long out patterns. Good throwing motion, but he does have a slight hitch when trying to put something extra on the pass.

Numbers Games

68.2% - Gradkowski set a NCAA record for career completion percentage. Also the first QB in NCAA history to have 2 consecutive seasons with a completion percentage over 70%.

NFL Comparison

David Garrard

Summary

Bruce Gradkowski had a monster finish to his college career, throwing for almost 600 yards in his final 2 games. He is a tough competitor that has stayed relatively injury free during his college career. He has the mobility and work ethic that coaches love and it should help him secure a spot as someone’s 3rd stringer. With determination and opportunity Gradkowski could see playing time within a couple of years.

7. Charlie Whitehurst - Clemson Tigers - 6’5” 223 lbs.

Positives

Charlie Whitehurst has very good size and athletic ability. He has a great frame and is built solid from top to bottom. His size allows him to take punishment in the pocket and still get off the throw. He doesn't run at the first sign of pressure, he stands tall and makes his reads. He has adequate arm strength and can make all the throws necessary in the NFL. His release is fairly quick and the release point is nice and high. He has good quickness and footwork, and while he’s not a threat to take it the distance he does have enough athletic ability to move the chains with his feet when needed.

Negatives

Inconsistency is the name of the game with Whitehurst. When he’s hot, he’s red hot. But when he’s cold, to quote Rick James, “You as cold as ice!” He makes poor decisions with the football and often relies on his arm strength to force the ball into coverage. He throws off his back foot too many times and thus loses velocity on the pass. He runs with the ball exposed, causing ball security issues as evidenced by his 24 fumbles in the last 3 years. He had his right shoulder surgically repaired in December of 2005, so that will need to be looked at.

Numbers Games

8 - Charlie Whitehurst had 8 fourth quarter comebacks during his college career.

NFL Comparison

Kerry Collins

Summary

Charlie’s dad David was a quarterback for the Green Bay Packers, and Charlie will play in the NFL. Because of his measurables and his blood lines there are several teams that would be able to mold Whitehurst to their liking. Charlie has the skill set, toughness, and athletic ability to be a NFL quarterback. It remains to be seen if he can put it together on the highest level.

8. Drew Olson - UCLA Bruins - 6’3” 225 lbs.

Positives

Drew Olson is a mentally tough QB that can stand tall in the pocket, absorb punishment, and deliver the football with great accuracy. Olson really takes command of the huddle and has the respect of his teammates because of his leadership abilities and work ethic. He works like a surgeon on the short and intermediate routes, often hitting the receiver right in stride. This last season he really showed improvement in the deep game, and his anticipation of receivers has gotten better. He has a good sized frame and is a tough player. His release is quick and he makes good decisions with the football. Is a student of the game and very adept at picking apart a defense.

Negatives

Olson has very little mobility. When he attempts to throw on the run the velocity of his passes suffer. Is not a threat to run, and if he does try and run he often leaves the ball exposed leading to costly fumbles. His accuracy when throwing on the run also suffers and his passes become erratic.

Numbers Games

34 - His thirty-four touchdown passes in 2005 were an all time Bruin’s record.

NFL Comparison

Drew Bledsoe

Summary

Drew Olson is the prototypical pocket passer. With extra emphasis on “pocket” because Olson is about as mobile as a turtle on his back. But with proper protection Olson can slice and dice on opposing defenses. He can certainly be a nice 2nd day surprise for a team looking at quarterbacks.

9. Reggie McNeal - Texas A&M Aggies - 6’2” 200 lbs.

Positives

Reggie McNeal is an all-world athlete with a rocket arm and speed to burn. He has amazing peripheral vision and uses his quick feet to escape even the most dangerous rush. Once outside the pocket he can still pick apart defenses with his arm. He is almost a better passer when on the move, although he has shown improved touch when stepping into a pass. His speed is elite and once he gets to the 2nd level of a defense he can really do some damage. He’s a threat to take it to the house on nearly every play. Puts excellent zip on the deep routes, often placing the ball perfectly on the outside shoulder of his receivers. His throwing motion is nice and tight, making for a quick release.

Negatives

McNeal seemed to take a step backwards in 2005. He is still very raw as a QB, and was forced into many bad decisions this past season. His arm is very powerful, but sometimes he relies on his arm strength too much. His build is rather slight and he has had some shoulder problems during his college career. Needs to improve at reading a defense, and can be confused by complex schemes.

Numbers Games

4.32 - That is Reggie’s 40 yard dash time.

NFL Comparison

Adrian McPherson

Summary

Reggie McNeal was a high school and college rival of Vince Young. And while Young is expected to go at the top of the draft, it looks as though Reggie will be a 2nd day pick. There is some team out there that is going to get a special playmaker in McNeal. He is very raw as a QB, but his athleticism cannot be denied and there are ways to use him on the football field. If he further develops as a QB he could easily be the steal of the draft at the quarterback position.

10. Tarvaris Jackson - Alabama State Hornets - 6’2” 225 lbs.

Positives

Tarvaris Jackson is a great system quarterback that can get out of the pocket and run for positive yards. His mechanics look natural and his throwing motion is over the top. He has a quick, compact release and gets good velocity on his throws. He can move around behind the line of scrimmage, buying time and finding the open receiver. He is more quick than fast and is very light on his feet. Jackson has a good build and good upper body strength.

Negatives

Too often locks onto his primary target, thus tipping off the defense and leading to incompletions or interceptions. Sometimes gets happy feet in the pocket and takes off too soon. Needs to develop more patience in the pocket. Needs to progress through his reads quicker and find second and third receivers faster. Ball security is an issue when Jackson scrambles (19 fumbles in the last 3 years). Lacks pinpoint accuracy when throwing deep.

Numbers Games

375 - Tarvaris can bench press 375 pounds.

NFL Comparison

Anthony Wright

Summary

Tarvaris Jackson is definitely a project, but he is a project with a great deal of potential. The West Coast Offense is a perfect fit for Jackson’s skill set. He is a tireless worker and a good student of the game. Jackson should be brought along slowly so as not to shatter his confidence. He needs to handle the pass rush better and work on his long distance touch. He has a cannon for an arm and his field awareness has improved over his college career. Tarvaris Jackson is a name to remember, as he could be a solid starter for years to come.