A tall, well-put-together quarterback prospect who possesses good size and won't have any trouble seeing over the line of scrimmage. Is also a pretty good athlete for his size on the move, looks coordinated when flushed outside the pocket, can pick up yards with his feet from time to time and Missouri even ran some option with him. However, isn't nearly as coordinated in the pocket with his footwork. Struggles to keep a consistently compact and balanced base and too often gets too wide with his footwork when trying to throw the football and transfer his weight from his back foot to his front. Doesn't look real comfortable getting the ball out on time from the gun and will have a bit of a learning curve taking snaps and dropping from center. Also, has some wasted motion in his delivery, and when trying to get the ball out on time in the short passing game he displays a slight wind up. Really struggles with his accuracy/timing at times because of these deficiencies underneath. However, possesses a good mental clock and knows when the ball needs to come out. But, is limited to reading more of just one side of the field, isn't a guy who routinely is able to scan his way across the entire field and find secondary options. Has a tendency to read one side and if nothing is on, he automatically looks to flush himself from the pocket the other way, drops his eye level and limits his ability to get rid of the football.
Possesses a strong arm, spins a clean football and has the arm strength to make all the throws. Looks a lot more comfortable in the intermediate pass game where he has time to get into his drop, hitch into the throw and get the ball out on time. Displays good anticipation skills when he knows where he wants to go with the football, exhibiting good ball placement, especially outside the numbers.
Showcases natural arm strength on the move and has the kind of touch to drop bucket throws into the outstretched hands of receivers vertically. Also, does a nice job keeping his eyes down the field once he breaks contain and can throw accurately on the run. However, is a bit lethargic with his footwork when he has time to set his feet and throw, consistently throwing off balance, making passes sail on him.
Impression: A big, strong-armed passer with above-average athletic ability for his size. Still is maturing in his ability to scan the entire field and his footwork is going to need work. But the skill set is there to warrant a potential starting grade, but he is far from a sure thing in my book.
