I think we've touched on this in a couple of threads, but assuming we may be in search of a future successor to Jay in the 2017 draft, who should we be watching? I DO NOT intend to make this a draft thread already, but with the start of the college season upon us, I was just wondering if some of you college football guys would suggest a handful of QB's that you may think will be draftable. I watch college FB on occasion, but I don't make it a habit. It's all I can do to find time to dedicate 3 hours to the Bears in a weekend. I've searched on line, and there are names out there that the media types like, but it's really all over the board and frankly, I trust this group in THIS forum much more than some sports columnist who is just regurgitating what someone else wrote. We have some damn smart people in here, help the rest of us out.
What are some of the names/schools we should be watching if we have a chance?
None of you yahoos have any idea about college QB's to watch? And here I thought we had a wealth of knowledge on this board. Do we have an emoji that sticks his tongue out at everyone?! (I'll make this one work).
I have the very same issues you do (well.... not those kind). I have a desire to know who the upcoming Qbs are since that is always a topic of interest for me, but most times I struggle to get in the 3 hours to watch the Bears game. I do it because I want to, but I just don;t have the time to watch college games. So many colleges anyway. You'd actually need much more time to be a student of the college game than you need to be a student of the pro game. I just don't have that time to invest. So I sure can't help you. It took me a whole paragraph to say I can't help you.
I have the very same issues you do (well.... not those kind). I have a desire to know who the upcoming Qbs are since that is always a topic of interest for me, but most times I struggle to get in the 3 hours to watch the Bears game. I do it because I want to, but I just don;t have the time to watch college games. So many colleges anyway. You'd actually need much more time to be a student of the college game than you need to be a student of the pro game. I just don't have that time to invest. So I sure can't help you. It took me a whole paragraph to say I can't help you.
I have the very same issues you do (well.... not those kind). I have a desire to know who the upcoming Qbs are since that is always a topic of interest for me, but most times I struggle to get in the 3 hours to watch the Bears game. I do it because I want to, but I just don;t have the time to watch college games. So many colleges anyway. You'd actually need much more time to be a student of the college game than you need to be a student of the pro game. I just don't have that time to invest. So I sure can't help you. It took me a whole paragraph to say I can't help you.
Not as good as Soul, but I'm working on it....
I give lessons. $60 an hour or $.50 per word.
You two, just throw in some of my trusty Mexican English. Is no my yob man.
I have the very same issues you do (well.... not those kind). I have a desire to know who the upcoming Qbs are since that is always a topic of interest for me, but most times I struggle to get in the 3 hours to watch the Bears game. I do it because I want to, but I just don;t have the time to watch college games. So many colleges anyway. You'd actually need much more time to be a student of the college game than you need to be a student of the pro game. I just don't have that time to invest. So I sure can't help you. It took me a whole paragraph to say I can't help you.
Not as good as Soul, but I'm working on it....
I give lessons. $60 an hour or $.50 per word.
I'll take the$60 an hour, the $0.50 per word will bankrupt me.
I have the very same issues you do (well.... not those kind). I have a desire to know who the upcoming Qbs are since that is always a topic of interest for me, but most times I struggle to get in the 3 hours to watch the Bears game. I do it because I want to, but I just don;t have the time to watch college games. So many colleges anyway. You'd actually need much more time to be a student of the college game than you need to be a student of the pro game. I just don't have that time to invest. So I sure can't help you. It took me a whole paragraph to say I can't help you.
Not as good as Soul, but I'm working on it....
I'm with you, not enough time to watch college QBs. I'd rather watch college cheerleaders.
Deshaun Watson*, QB, Clemson Height: 6-2. Weight: 205. Projected 40 Time: 4.60. Projected Round (2017): 1-3. 7/29/16: Watson played really well to lead Clemson to the National Championship game, and in that title tilt, he threw for over 400 yards and four touchdowns against an Alabama defense that featured tons of future NFL talent. Watson completed 68 percent of his passes in 2015 for 4,104 yards with 35 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. On the ground, he averaged 5.3 yards per carry for 1,105 yards with 12 scores.
Watson has a decent arm, excellent athleticism, and can show some superb accuracy. However, he is undersized and doesn't play in a pro-style offense. His numbers are vastly inflated by his college offense. Operating under center will be one thing for him to learn. Watson also has to improve his field vision. He flashes good field vision to work through his progressions on some plays, but he is inconsistent and he can also look to run too soon. Watson won't be able to run as much in the NFL and he needs to get faster at working through his progressions. His pocket-assing process has to get quicker as well. Read more at walterfootball.com/draft2017QB.php#BDxkFv3fWFmZXawU.99
Brad Kaaya*, QB, Miami Height: 6-4. Weight: 209. Projected 40 Time: 4.72. Projected Round (2017): 1-3. 7/29/16: 2015 was a rough year for Miami and Kaaya had to battle through with a weak supporting cast. He completed 61 percent of his passes for 3,242 yards with 16 touchdowns and five interceptions on the season. Kaaya didn't develop significantly over his freshman-year performance.
Kaaya has a good physical skill set with a strong arm that can make all the throws. At times, he has displayed some pocket-passing ability to go along with poise. In 2014, Kaaya completed 59 percent of his passes for 3,198 yards with 26 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Kaaya had a ton of talent around him as a freshman in the form of a stud left tackle (Ereck Flowers), wide receiver (Phillip Dorsett) and running back (Duke Johnson). Read more at walterfootball.com/draft2017QB.php#BDxkFv3fWFmZXawU.99
Chad Kelly, QB, Ole Miss Height: 6-2. Weight: 215. Projected 40 Time: 4.75. Projected Round (2017): 2-4. 7/29/16: Kelly showed development late in the 2015 season and was playing well for Ole Miss. For the year, he completed 65 percent of his passes for 4,042 yards with 31 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. He also ran for 500 yards and 10 touchdowns. It was Kelly's first season starting for the Rebels.
Kelly has a powerful arm with some athleticism. He needs to improve his field vision and decision-making as he throws risky passes downfield too often rather than taking easy completions underneath.
Prior to 2015, Kelly played in the junior college ranks for a year, where he won a National Championship. Kelly started out his collegiate career at Clemson, but didn't last long as Dabo Swinney kicked him off the team "for conduct detrimental to the program." Kelly is the nephew of Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly. Chad Kelly's ego and behavior led to his undoing at Clemson.
Luke Falk*, QB, Washington State Height: 6-4. Weight: 205. Projected 40 Time: 4.79. Projected Round (2017): 2-4. 7/29/16: Falk plays in a college spread offense, but he puts up big totals of yards and points. In 2015, Falk completed 69 percent of his passes for 4,561 yards with 38 touchdowns and eight interceptions. As a freshman, he completed 64 percent of his throw for 1,859 yards with 13 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Falk should continue to have big stat lines playing in Mike Leach's offense.
Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma Height: 6-2. Weight: 214. Projected 40 Time: 4.71. Projected Round (2017): 3-5. 7/29/16: Mayfield stepped up in 2015 and carried the Sooners late in the season as they earned a spot in the college playoff. He was a Heisman finalist as he completed 68 percent of his passes for 3,700 yards with 36 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Mayfield also ran for 405 yards with seven scores. He needs to continue to develop his pocket passing for the NFL.
Josh Dobbs, QB, Tennessee Height: 6-4. Weight: 220. Projected 40 Time: 4.74. Projected Round (2016): 3-5. 7/29/16: Dobbs played his tail off for Tennessee in 2015 even though the Volunteers came up short in some tough losses. On the year, he completed 60 percent of his passes this season for 2,125 yards with 15 touchdowns and five interceptions. On the ground, he averaged 4.2 yards per carry for 476 yards and seven scores. Dobbs is more of a college spread quarterback, but perhaps he will show more pocket passing skills in 2016.
In 2014, Dobbs completed 63 percent of his passes for 1,206 yards with nine touchdowns and six interceptions. He has physical talent, but he needs to develop his overall game as a passer.
Taysom Hill, QB, BYU Height: 6-2. Weight: 225. Projected 40 Time: 4.68. Projected Round (2016): 3-5. 7/29/16: Hill went out for the year in the 2015 season opener against Nebraska after injuring his foot. In 2014, Hill completed 67 percent of his passes for 975 yards with six touchdowns and three interceptions. He also rumbled for 460 yards - averaging 5.3 yards per carry - with eight touchdowns on the ground. Hill broke his leg against Utah State midway through the year and was done for the season. In 2013, Hill only completed 54 percent of his passes for 2,938 yards with 19 touchdowns and 14 interceptions, but on the ground, he ran for 1,595 yards with 10 touchdowns. Some sources in the NFL really like Hill.
Patrick Towles, QB, Boston College Height: 6-5. Weight: 240. Projected 40 Time: 4.85. Projected Round (2016): 3-5. 7/29/16: Playing for Kentucky, Towles completed 56 percent of his passes in 2015 for 2,077 yards with nine touchdowns and 13 interceptions. Towles went the graduate-transfer route after the season and has landed with Boston College for his final year of eligibility.
Towles is a big-armed passer who fights his tail off, but he needs to cut down on the interceptions and improve his accuracy and decision-making. In speaking with sources, they say that Towles has the physical skill set for the NFL but are concerned with his lack of awareness and instincts. He didn't have a great supporting cast in 2014, but the first-year starter flashed at times. That season, Towles completed 57 percent of his passes for 2,718 yards with 14 touchdowns and nine interceptions.
Seth Russell, QB, Baylor Height: 6-3. Weight: 220. Projected 40 Time: 4.68. Projected Round (2016): 3-5. 7/29/16: Russell was enjoying a tremendous 2015 season as he beat up on weak opponents and put together some staggering numbers. Across seven games, Russell completed 60 percent of his passes for 2,104 yards with 29 touchdowns and six interceptions. He also ran for 402 yards and six scores. However in the seventh game, Russell fractured a vertebrae in his neck, whih ended his season.
Russell cleared to play early in 2016. He will have a challenging 2016 season after the offseason scandal at Baylor and losing talent to the NFL.
Gunner Kiel, QB, Cincinnati Height: 6-4. Weight: 208. Projected 40 Time: 4.81. Projected Round (2016): 4-6. 7/29/16: There were big expectations for Kiel in 2015, but it turned into a disappointing season. Kiel completed 65 percent of his passes for 2,777 yards with 19 touchdowns and 11 interceptions on the year. He also dealt with injuries that cost him two games. Kiel has a good arm but must cut down on his interceptions as he can throw them in bunches.
After years of hype, Kiel finally stepped onto the field in 2014 and flashed some arm talent. He completed 59.7 percent of his passes for the Bearcats with 31 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. Kiel struggled with interceptions when he went against good competition like Miami (FL), East Carolina and Virginia Tech though, throwing eight picks across those three games.
Pat Mahomes*, QB, Texas Tech Height: 6-3. Weight: 219. Projected 40 Time: 4.70. Projected Round (2017): 4-6. 7/29/16: Mahomes plays in a gimmick college offense that produces a lot of points, but Mahomes has shown potential to get NFL consideration. In 2015, he completed 64 percent for 4,653 yards with 36 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. It was a big improvement over his freshman season when he completed 57 percent of his passes for 1,547 yards with 16 touchdowns and four interceptions.
by Dennis Dodd @dennisdoddcbs May 02, 2016 • 6 min read 1. Deshaun Watson, junior, Clemson: If Alabama winning another national championship was the No. 1 story back in January, Watson carving up the Tide was a close No. 2. The best is yet to come from Watson. Yes, he is strictly a spread guy. But oh, that decision making, those feet, that arm. Watson is smart, accomplished and fearless. Clemson quarterback coach Brandon Streeter says Watson’s game is “perfect” for the NFL. If he stays healthy, Watson will arrive in the pros with at least 32 college starts. The only player in history to throw for 4,000 and run for 1,000 in a season enters 2016 as the Heisman Trophy co-favorite with Stanford’s Christian McCaffrey. 2. Brad Kaaya, junior, Miami: In two seasons, the 6-foot-4 Cali kid has thrown for 6,500 yards and 42 touchdowns. New coach Mark Richt, a quarterback specialist, can only help his game. As Miami continues to teeter (at times), Kaaya has been a tower of strength. He grew up 15 minutes from UCLA. He’s maturing into a future NFL quarterback 3,000 miles away in Coral Gables. 3. Chad Kelly, senior, Ole Miss: Kelly could be the best thing that happens to the Rebels this fall. Hugh Freeze loses four of his starting offensive lineman. His best receiver, Laquon Treadwell, is gone, too. And Freeze can only hope the stink Laremy Tunsil left behind for the NCAA doesn’t become a distraction. Kelly (4,000 yards, 31 touchdowns in 2015) is the SEC’s best quarterback on what might be the conference’s second-best team. 4. Seth Russell, redshirt junior, Baylor: Remember him? Russell and the Bears were undefeated and averaging almost 700 yards per game when the quarterback was lost for the season with neck surgery. Russell was cleared for preliminary workouts in February. He’s 8-0 as a starter and might be the difference in the Bears making another College Football Playoff run. 5. Luke Falk, redshirt junior, Washington State: It’s likely you know more about Falk’s sisters than his game. In Mike Leach’s pass-heavy offense Falk led the country in passing yards per game. No one came close to throwing as much (644 passes). Falk is one of eight starters back on offense in 2016. With that much firepower, the Cougars are a dark horse favorite in the Pac-12 North. At 6-foot-4, 220 pounds, Falk has the look of a future NFL QB. 6. Patrick Mahomes II, junior, Texas Tech: The Big 12’s 2015 leader in attempts, passing yards, touchdowns and interceptions has Johnny Manziel’s former offensive coordinator as his coach (Kliff Kingsbury). That’s a good thing, by the way. We know the kid can throw. His dad played 11 years in the majors. Son could approach 5,000 passing yards in 2016. 7. Baker Mayfield, senior, Oklahoma: Yes, we called him “a Manziel among men.” Yes, we meant it in the most positive way. And yes, the last we saw of him, Mayfield was being harassed by that Clemson defensive line. Size (6-foot-1, 212 pounds) may be an issue, but his ability to improvise is not. Mayfield was the conference’s most accurate passer (68 percent) and perhaps its most inspirational leader. The feeling here is that Mayfield -- denied an extra year of eligibility by the Big 12 -- will be motivated to go out strong. Mark your calendars for Oct. 22 when Oklahoma is at Texas Tech. 8. Josh Dobbs, senior, Tennessee: No character issues here. As an aerospace engineering major, Dobbs is one heck of a quarterback -- and if you have to be told -- he is also a top-notch student. The Vols will be favored to win the SEC East. Dobbs is the biggest reason on a team with 16 other returning starters. Coming off the worst completion percentage of his career (59.6), Dobbs’ intangibles are more important than ever. He didn’t pout when Tennessee started 2-3 and blew games against Oklahoma, Florida and Arkansas. Dobbs will have to show scouts he can throw downfield. Only 17 of his completions last year went for at least 25 yards. His 671 rushing yards led all SEC quarterbacks. 9. C.J. Beathard, redshirt senior, Iowa: Matt Millen compared him to Joe Montana. Sure, hype abounds, but the results reflected Beathard’s talent. The Hawkeyes won a school-record 12. Kirk Ferentz was a national coach of the year. Beathard has “it.” At a place starved for playmakers for years, Beathard made enough plays to lead the Hawks to the Rose Bowl. A repeat isn’t out of the question. 10. Wes Lunt, redshirt senior, Illinois: Think positive at a program that has been through the wringer. Lovie Smith drops into college football for the first time in more than two decades with an experienced quarterback. Yeah, things could be worse for both parties. Lunt seems to have bought in after throwing for the ninth-most single-season yards in program history (2,761). “It gives us motivation to know who we’re playing for,” said Lunt, a former Oklahoma State transfer. Five others to watch: Tommy Armstrong Jr. (Nebraska), J.T. Barrett (Ohio State), Gunner Kiel (Cincinnati), Dakota Prukop (Oregon), Patrick Towles (Boston College).