Latest news with #Wing-T
Winnipeg Free Press
2 days ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
‘The Shuttlebus' shines way onto Bombers practice roster
Did the Winnipeg Blue Bombers need an American running back? No, not really. Regardless if it was a need or not, there was no way the Blue and Gold were going to let Quinton Cooley walk out the door. John Woods / THE CANADIAN PRESS Winnipeg Blue Bombers running back Quinton Cooley (right) bulldozed his way to the club's practice squad after impressing in pre-season play. The 5-7, 210-pound rookie out of Liberty University signed to the team's practice squad after bulldozing his way to 56 rushing yards on eight carries and one catch for nine yards in last week's 27-20 pre-season finale win over the Saskatchewan Roughriders. 'He's as physical as they come. He did everything we wanted him to do and more,' said head coach Mike O'Shea after Wednesday's practice. The Bombers are on a Week 1 bye and don't open their season until June 12 when they host the B.C. Lions at 7:30 p.m. 'You gotta find a way to keep a guy like that, and see where you can slot him in.' Cooley has already earned the nickname 'The Shuttlebus' and 'Bowling Ball' from his new teammates for how he runs through defenders and his willingness to deliver a big block. 'I grew up in a Wing-T offence. Straight downhill, country boy, nose in the dirt — stuff like that,' said Cooley, who ran 426 times for 2,655 yards and 29 touchdowns in two seasons at Liberty. Prior to that, he spent three years at Wake Forest. 'It was fun for me, growing up like that, having cousins playing in the backfield, getting tougher. Going outside without the shoulder pads, without the helmets… the more I play the game the more I just want to play physical.' He's also proven to be tough. When he was a junior at Southern Nash High School in Bailey, N.C., he broke the school's single-game rushing record (413 yards in the second round of playoffs) and he did it with a torn labrum. 'My shoulder popped out of place, so they sent me out for two drives, then we went into halftime. Then, my teammate, who already had a labrum tear, gave me his shoulder brace. After that, I was like 'I'm going back in the game,'' recalled Cooley. 'And my aunt was on the sideline and she was like, 'No, you're not going back in.' So, she went back up into the stands, and by the time she did, I turned around and ran onto the field. I played the game and played my tail off.' Despite closing out his college career with some impressive numbers, Cooley's dream of playing pro football was in jeopardy. Several NFL teams showed interest in him prior to this year's draft, but his name went uncalled and he didn't receive any rookie camp invites, either. He had no choice but to get a job working at a warehouse where he loaded, delivered and installed refrigerators and washing machines. His shift started at 5 a.m. and went until 6 p.m. 'I was getting paid $160 a day. It was a pretty good job, working Monday through Saturday, so, I was doing that, trying to stay on top of things. Then I got the call May 2 (from Winnipeg) and they were like, 'We need you up here May 5,' and I was like, 'Dang, that's a quick turnaround,'' said Cooley. 'But it was a blessing. I was happy I got a call that somebody wants to give me an opportunity.' Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. The Bombers offence will continue to roll through reigning Most Outstanding Player Brady Oliveira. If the Winnipegger needs to catch his breath, or misses any time, they'll likely turn to fourth-year running back Peyton Logan, an American who can also serve as a returner, once he's taken off the one-game injured list. The running back room also features Canadian Matthew Peterson, a former Canada West Player of the Year with the Alberta Golden Bears, who was acquired in a draft day trade with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in April. With three names expected to be ahead of him on the depth chart and, more importantly, a limited number of import spots available, it'll be tough for Cooley to get onto the field, but he's not discouraged. 'I'm new to the game. I'll learn from Brady, learn from Peyton Logan, the vets in the room. Everywhere you go, you have to start new somewhere,' said Cooley. 'But me learning from them guys, it's really gonna benefit me. I'm pretty good at the stuff that I do, but if I can watch Brady and see the way he does stuff, I can get some of his game and put it into my game.' Taylor AllenReporter Taylor Allen is a sports reporter for the Winnipeg Free Press. Taylor was the Vince Leah intern in the Free Press newsroom twice while earning his joint communications degree/diploma at the University of Winnipeg and Red River College Polytechnic. He signed on full-time in 2019 and mainly covers the Blue Bombers, curling, and basketball. Read more about Taylor. Every piece of reporting Taylor produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
USA Today
23-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Which QBs could be next to rise in NFL draft? These 10 prospects might soar in 2026
Which QBs could be next to rise in NFL draft? These 10 prospects might soar in 2026 Show Caption Hide Caption Best AFC 2025 NFL Draft picks USA TODAY's Tyler Dragon breaks down which teams in the AFC drafted the best this year. Sports Seriously Anyone looking for the next Cam Ward might want to settle in for an extended wait. To most, the No. 1 pick of the Tennessee Titans in this year's NFL draft didn't clear the threshold of a "generational" talent that his future team first floated months before his selection. But his path to the point is a unique one unlikely to be followed anytime soon. Passed over by almost every college as a zero-star quarterback who operated in a Wing-T offense in high school, he climbed from Incarnate Word at the Football Championship Subdivision to Washington State before last year transferring to Miami (Fla.), where he would become arguably the most dynamic passer in college football. At a position where players tend to be known commodities from their early high school years, it's unlikely that anyone will replicate this meteoric rise right away. But that doesn't mean that the outlook at quarterback in any given draft is static. In recent years, several quarterbacks have rocketed into the early first round, with the likes of Jayden Daniels, Michael Penix Jr. and Anthony Richardson among those who changed the conversation about their capabilities thanks to stellar final seasons. With evaluation efforts now turning toward 2026, there are already several entities who have become fixtures of way-too-early mock drafts, including Penn State's Drew Allar, LSU's Garrett Nussmeier and, yes, even Texas' Arch Manning. But keep an eye on these 10 quarterbacks who could enjoy a significant rise in next year's draft with a strong showing this upcoming season: LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina Maybe it seems like a cheat to include Sellers on this list, as he's squarely in the conversation of candidates to be the first quarterback taken next spring. To reach that point, however, he'll need to raise his baseline when operating from the pocket. Nevertheless, his inherent electricity as a dual-threat playmaker makes tolerating his unevenness more than worthwhile. The 6-3, 242-pounder might be one of the most formidable rushing threats behind center from the moment he enters the NFL, and he stands out as perhaps college football's pre-eminent creator thanks to his ability to deliver strikes to every level of the field. If Sellers can become a more decisive and anticipatory passer while also cleaning up the fumbling issues that dogged his debut starting campaign, he'll have few peers capable of measuring up to him in the draft. Fernando Mendoza, Indiana With Carson Beck (Georgia to Miami) and John Mateer (Washington State to Oklahoma) each headed to new schools, Mendoza was hardly the headliner among quarterbacks in this winter's transfer portal rush. But his move might be among the most consequential for next year's draft. In leaving Cal for Indiana, Mendoza departs a program that was sapped of its top talent – the Golden Bears lost five running backs to the transfer portal as well as their No. 1 receiver and tight end, among others – for one infusing its roster with even more promising players. After helping develop another tall, strong-armed transfer in Kurtis Rourke last season, Indiana coach Curt Cignetti should be well-positioned to guide the progress of his new 6-5, 225-pound passer. Mendoza can operate far more quickly and with more precision (68.7% completion rate last season) than Rourke did, but he'll need to better navigate pressure after taking 41 sacks last season – the most of any returning passer in the Football Bowl Subdivision. Sawyer Robertson, Baylor The Mississippi State transfer didn't receive widespread recognition in 2024, as he only took over as starter three games into the year. Now, however, Robertson could be in line to receive his proper due. The 6-4, 220-pound signal-caller is one of the country's most precise downfield passers, and his heady play helped propel the Bears to a 6-0 run to end the regular season before the team fell to LSU in the Texas Bowl. His prototypical build and arm strength are major pluses, but his ability to balance an attacking mentality while infrequently putting the ball in harm's way reveals that he's more than merely just a package of traits. And with enough athleticism to escape the pocket and extend plays, he looks like exactly the kind of quarterback who can raise his profile significantly with another impressive campaign. Eli Holstein, Pitt After leaving Alabama following just one season spent redshirting, the former four-star recruit acclimated nicely to his new setting, throwing for 15 touchdowns in his first five games. The Panthers' up-tempo offense under new coordinator Kade Bell hit a midseason snag, however, with the team dropping its final six games after starting 7-0. Holstein's health played a major factor in that unraveling; the 6-4, 225-pounder missed almost the entirety of Pitt's final four contests due to leg and head injuries. With ample arm strength to push the ball downfield, the redshirt sophomore should have little trouble catching scouts' eyes, whether for the 2026 draft or beyond. Holstein will need to stay healthy and prove he can hold up against top competition after feasting on the leaner part of last year's schedule, but if he's afforded better protection along with more playmaking support at the skill positions, he could resume his ascent. Nico Iamaleava, UCLA True scorched-earth scenarios are few and far between in the NFL draft – at least for players of a certain level of ability. That's the silver lining for Iamaleava as he navigates the fallout from his unceremonious split with Tennessee following a practice no-show and widespread reports of a clash over name, image and likeness pay. The 6-6, 215-pound passer still has considerable work to do to deliver on the immense potential he teased as the former No. 2 overall recruit who built an immense buzz before even taking the field. But if he can elevate an offense that ranked in the bottom 10 in the FBS for scoring (18.4 points per game), Iamaleava can put the focus back on his physical tools and quiet – at least temporarily – the discussion about off-field matters. Dante Moore, Oregon Iamaleava isn't the only former five-star quarterback from the 2023 recruiting class in need of a do-over. Moore joined the Ducks last year after an inauspicious freshman campaign at UCLA in which he completed just 53.5% of his passes and threw for 11 touchdowns with nine interceptions. After sitting for a season, he'll take over an offense that boasted Heisman Trophy finalists in each of the last two years with Bo Nix and Dillon Gabriel – who were both fellow transfers as well. Moore will have to reaffirm the poise and precision that made him such a highly sought-after recruit, but Oregon should equip him with the proper schematic and personnel support to allow him to flourish. Miller Moss, Louisville Few players in the transfer portal era have exhibited the patience of Moss, who spent three years as a backup before getting his shot to become the starter at USC. After setting a Holiday Bowl record with six touchdown passes in place of Caleb Williams and then opening last season with a dazzling win over LSU, everything seemed to be falling into place for him to be Lincoln Riley's next prized passer. But Moss was benched after nine games, and now he's taking over for the team he torched in his first career start. No one will confuse the 6-1, 205-pounder with Tyler Shough, the 6-5, 219-pound signal-caller who became a second-round draft pick – and potential rookie starter for the New Orleans Saints – thanks to his career resurgence with the Cardinals in 2024. But in teaming up with one of college football's most acclaimed offensive minds in coach Jeff Brohm, Moss could be poised to follow his predecessor's path with a reset that allows him to get his development back on track. Austin Simmons, Mississippi Placement on this list might seem far-fetched given that Simmons has yet to make a single start in his career. But after skipping two grades in high school and graduating from Mississippi earlier this month at 19, the 6-4, 215-pound lefty – who also was a relief pitcher for the school last year before deciding to focus on football – is a clear outlier. Simmons gave a glimpse of his capabilities when he stepped in temporarily for injured starter Jaxson Dart to complete five of six passes for 64 yards in the Rebels' upset win over Georgia last year. Now, he'll be counted on to keep Lane Kiffin's high-powered offense running strong after Dart's handle on the system helped him become a first-round pick. Given his inexperience and age, Simmons might be a name to watch further down the line. But if he proves himself comfortable against top competition, he's shown he has no problem operating ahead of schedule. Taylen Green, Arkansas It doesn't require a deep dive to see the pro potential of a 6-6, 230-pound passer who ran for more than 600 yards last season. Still, despite starting two years at Boise State and making the jump to Arkansas last season, Green has yet to put everything together as a passer, with his ball placement, pocket awareness (32 sacks taken last season) and decision-making all requiring refinement. But between his superlative raw arm strength and rare running ability, he can tax defenses in a manner that few other signal-callers can. If Green overcomes an exceedingly difficult schedule and an overhauled receiving corps that lost go-to target Andrew Armstrong, he'll pique plenty of teams' interests, at least as a developmental prospect. Aidan Chiles, Michigan State In following coach Jonathan Smith from Oregon State to Michigan State in December 2023, Chiles gave the Spartans some much-needed hope as they looked to turn the page on the Mel Tucker era. Yet nothing came easily to a program stuck in transition, and the former four-star recruit threw for just 13 touchdowns with 11 interceptions as his team stumbled to a 5-7 mark. Tamping down on his turnover-prone ways will be a vital step in Chiles' development this season. But with his often dazzling deep balls and abundant athleticism, the 6-3, 217-pounder will capture plenty of attention if he can boost his efficiency and consistency.
USA Today
26-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
5 Things to Know about new Lions WR Isaac TeSlaa
5 Things to Know about new Lions WR Isaac TeSlaa The Lions moved up from No. 102 to No. 70, sending both of their third-round picks in 2026 to the Jacksonville Jaguars to select Arkansas wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa. Let's get to know TeSlaa a little bit. 1. Michigan native gets to come back to state in NFL TeSlaa is a Michigan native. He is from Hudsonville, MI, just outside of Grand Rapids, and went to school at Unity Christian. He then went on to Hillsdale College in Michigan, the same school his father played wide receiver at. He'll now get to play in his home state at the professional level. 2. Played quarterback in high school before moving to receiver in college TeSlaa was a high school quarterback at Unity Christian. The offense was a true Wing-T that didn't use wide receivers. TeSlaa also played safety and returned kicks. When he got to Hillsdale, he moved to wide receiver. He played three seasons at Hillsdale before moving up to Division I and Arkansas. 3. Initially had just one FCS offer TeSlaa always had a tall mountain to climb on his road to the NFL, starting with being a zero-star recruit in high school. Being a Wing-T quarterback makes it difficult to have much extensive film for colleges. He initially received just one Division I offer from Valparaiso, an FCS school. He ultimately chose Hillsdale to start and built himself up to get to a spot where he could go Division I. That included an All-American season in 2022. 4. Graduated Summa Cum Laude Not only was TeSlaa an excellent athlete in high school (football, track), he was an excellent student. Top-notch, in fact. He graduated Summa Cum Laude with a 4.0 GPA. 5. Played through broken hand during All-American season in 2022 TeSlaa was named an Honorable Mention All-American as well as First-Team All-GMAC (Great Midwest Athletic Conference) and Conference Offensive Player of the Year during his final season at Hillsdale in 2022. He caught 68 passes for 1,325 yards and 13 touchdowns that season. He did that all with a broken hand. Imagine catching footballs at a high speed, and the most important part of your body is far from 100 percent. TeSlaa did just that. Kudos to him on that.
USA Today
25-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Cam Ward path: How Miami QB went from 0-star to likely No. 1 NFL draft pick
Cam Ward path: How Miami QB went from 0-star to likely No. 1 NFL draft pick Show Caption Hide Caption Miami QB Cam Ward's pro day leaves no doubts about No. 1 NFL draft pick Cam Ward is feeling confident after his pro day performance. He tells the media why he thinks he will be the number one overall draft pick in April. Cam Ward has taken the road less traveled to being the potential No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. The Miami quarterback was a zero-star recruit out of high school with two reported offers from Incarnate Word and Texas Southern, a pair of FCS programs. His play was so impressive he made the jump to Washington State, before using his final season of eligibility at Miami, where he blossomed into a Heisman Trophy finalist. REQUIRED READING: Cam Ward, NFL draft top prospect, gives Tennessee Titans 'all they need to see' at pro day Ward is expected to go No. 1 overall to the Tennessee Titans on Thursday as the perceived top quarterback available in 2025. Not too bad for the West Columbia, Texas, native. The 6-foot-2 signal caller boasts tremendous arm talent, some of the best in the draft in recent years. If he's able to put it all together, he certainly has the potential to make every throw on the field. Here's a look at Ward's path to the NFL draft, and how the former overlooked recruit turned into a heralded NFL draft prospect: Cam Ward college path Ward's story wasn't one where he was completely unseen, despite going to a small school and playing in an offense that hardly threw the ball. In a recent feature story on Ward's path in the Nashville Tennessean, a part of the USA TODAY Network, Ward's high school coach said numerous coaches came to see Ward throw but still didn't offer him a scholarship. "Going into his senior year we had 10-12 times during the offseason where we had a tryout for him," said Brent Mascheck, Ward's coach at Columbia High School. "You name a college. We would go out there and have him go through every drill and him throwing the football." The story notes that coaches from the SEC and Big 12 vetted Ward, with one Big 12 assistant apparently begging his head coach to offer Ward. The head coach declined because he felt Ward was overweight at the time, according to Ward's high school coach. Texas A&M never offered Ward, but he blew away coaches at a camp where he threw alongside other high-end quarterback recruits like Jalen Milroe, the former Alabama quarterback who's expected to hear his name called early in the 2025 NFL Draft. Former Aggies offensive coordinator Darrell Dickey told the Tennessean that Ward possessed impressive physical traits. "The raw physical tools were off the charts," Dickey said. "The issue was knowing how things worked with recruiting. He wasn't being recruited by hardly anybody else. So you get into that thing of 'Hey, he didn't go to the Elite 11.' He wasn't a huge name." Ward's high school offense ran the Wing-T, which is similar to the triple option, which is predicated on running the ball. Ward's high school coach said he was aware of Ward's passing ability but wasn't able to run a pass-heavy offense due to the caliber of players a small school like West Columbia had. "In high school football, you can't recruit," Mascheck said. "Our team wasn't built to throw the ball 60 times. We didn't have those receivers. The one game we did lose (Ward's senior year), we dropped quite a few passes. I hate saying that because I never want to knock other kids. But we had to do what was best for the entire team." While college coaches clearly missed on Ward, he lacked tape on the field due to his high school situation. Why did Cam Ward transfer to Miami? Ward transferred to Miami from Washington State to be in a better situation, for lack of a better word. He initially entered the 2024 NFL Draft, but backed out to enter the transfer portal to take advantage of his robust name, image and likeness offers, along with the opportunity to play in a stronger conference and boost his draft stock. The move, of course, worked in Ward's favor as he is likely to be the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. 'A lot went into that decision,' Ward said at ACC Media Days ahead of the 2024 season. 'That's probably one of the most stressful times in my life. Me, my mom, my dad. Every day my decision changed. Went into my parents' room. I told them one day I was going to this school. Next day I was going to the league, next day I was going to Miami. If I had to do it all over again, I would. 'The biggest thing for me is there was still food left on the table for me. I accomplished a lot of things at the FCS level, I haven't accomplished things I know I'm capable of at the Power Five level. I feel like NFL isn't going anywhere. God put me in this position to be a Miami Hurricane. I think it's been the best of both worlds.' College football's all-time passing touchdowns leader accomplished a lot at the Power Four level in his lone season at Miami, leading the Hurricanes to a 10-2 record before losing the final game of the regular season to get knocked out of the ACC championship game. Ward finished the year with 4,313 passing yards with 39 touchdowns to seven interceptions to raise his career totals to 11,281 yards with 87 touchdowns to 23 interceptions at the FBS level. Those totals don't include his whopping 71 touchdown passes in two seasons at Incarnate Word, an FCS program. The All-American quarterback originally transferred from Incarnate Word to Washington State for a shot at the higher ranks of Division I football. The opportunity to earn more money, plus the fact of Washington State taking a step down in competition after remaining in the two-team Pac-12 in 2024, made it an obvious choice to make the move to another school with one year of eligibility left. Cam Ward stats Here are Ward's year-by-year college stats:
USA Today
24-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
NFL Draft: Top 14 Quarterbacks Browns must target on draft day
NFL Draft: Top 14 Quarterbacks Browns must target on draft day The 2025 quarterback class is an intriguing group of potential NFL starters. The class isn't as strong at the top of the class as in years past, but there are a lot of options on the second day of the NFL draft. Top quarterback prospect Cam Ward is a fascinating watch, with incredible arm strength and control. He has all the potential to develop into a top-eight quarterback in the NFL. The class is a crap shoot at quarterback after Ward. Evaluators seem confused about who should be the next quarterback taken. Shedeur Sanders, Jaxson Dart, Jalen Milroe, and Tyler Shough are all interesting options after Ward. There's a strong divide in the class between quarterbacks with experience running an offense and toolsy quarterbacks with the best collection of traits. Quarterbacks like Kyle McCord, Quinn Ewers, Kurtis Rourke and Will Howard are intriguing day three options who blend the best attributes from both sides. Here is a breakdown of the top 14 quarterbacks in the 2025 NFL draft. 1. Cam Ward, Miami Cam Ward is the top quarterback prospect in the draft. Ward is an inspiration, going from a zero-star high school quarterback running a Wing-T offense to a Heisman candidate and number one pick in the NFL draft. I followed his career since his freshman year, as I've been amazed by his talent. Ward is a wizard in the backfield. The 6-foot-1 quarterback is a compact speedster. He has a powerful arm that can access a ton of throwing ranges. He can rocket passes through tiny windows in the defense. It's made him a lot of fun to watch as an improviser throughout his career. However, the quarterback relies far too much on his improvisational skills and gets him burned too frequently. Ward struggles to conduct an offense with proper tempo. He's improved in that area with every successive season, but there's still a lot to be desired. Ward could struggle mightily in the NFL as defenses punish quarterbacks for their lack of precision. He has all the tools to be a top quarterback in the NFL, but he must learn how and when to deploy them. I'm excited to see how his career will pay out. 2. Shedeur Sanders, Colorado Shedeur Sanders enters the draft as the player with the most preconceived notions about him. It's impossible to divorce him as the son of Deion Sanders, especially since he was his coach, but he's not a hyper-athletic and brash quarterback. Sanders is a humble professional who wants to operate from the pocket. He is a pure pocket passer who wants to command an offense. Sanders has the brain and work ethic to produce in the passing game. He has above-average arm talent and can access every portion of the field. He delivers a catchable ball with good placement. However, his arm strength doesn't give him a much room for error with his timing. Sanders could grow into an outstanding quarterback, but his lack of elite physical tools will keep him from the upper echelon of quarterback play. Sanders is worth a first-round pick. 3. Jalen Milroe, Alabama Jalen Milroe is one of the most physically dominating quarterback prospects. Milroe is a 6-foot-1, 220-pound tank complete with a cannon for an arm. He is a speed demon who can take over games with his running ability. Milroe's arm doesn't always function properly. Milroe's awful throwing form is the major source of his inaccuracy. His arm also only fires at one speed: hypersonic. He has no arc or touch on his throws. They're simply getting from point A to point B as quickly as possible. For two years, Milroe has worked with quarterback coach Jordan Palmer to change his throwing motion. Milroe unveiled his new throwing motion at the combine, and it looked smoother and less robotic. He must show he won't revert to his dysfunctional style during live reps. Milroe is a unique quarterback, as teams must adapt their playbooks to him. Offenses featuring a lot of quarterback run plays tend to have a high floor, as defenses are forced to defend them differently. However, their ceilings are always resting on the quarterback's arm. The Philadelphia Eagles have had great success with Jalen Hurts, while the Indianapolis Colts have found little success with Anthony Richardson. Milroe has ties with Cleveland Browns' offensive coordinator Tommy Rees, as they were a botched snap away from the National Championship game at Alabama during the 2023 season. The team might want to reunite the pair. Milroe is worth a second-round pick. 4. Kurtis Rourke, Indiana Kurtis Rourke is one of the most underrated quarterbacks in the NFL draft. He led Indiana to the College Football Playoffs while playing the entire season with a torn ACL. He had surgery in January, which prevented him from participating in the draft process. The 6-foot-4, 220-pound quarterback has ideal size for the position. Rourke doesn't have a cannon for an arm, but he can make every throw on the field. Rourke has the best touch in the class. He layers throws to the second and third level over the outstretched hands of defenders. Rourke tosses beautiful moon balls up the sideline. Rourke will celebrate his 25th birthday at the start of the NFL season. He is an experienced quarterback, starting his career at Ohio University. Rourke is the best in the class at commanding an offense, conducting it, and playing in rhythm. He's great at identifying coverages pre-snap. He ties his footwork to the route and throws the ball at the top of his drop to an open receiver. When Rourke is forced to hold onto the ball, he remains calm in the pocket, knowing the backside dig route will open up. Rourke's ability to remember the answers while a defender runs full-steam at him is a rare trait. Rourke is a starting-level quarterback who could thrive under a wide zone offense. He's worthy of a second-round pick, even if he's likely going on day three of the draft. 5. Kyle McCord, Syracuse Kyle McCord was chased out of Ohio after a disastrous 2023 campaign. The quarterback bounced back with a strong season for Syracuse, leading college football in passing yards. He could sit in the pocket and rip throws as Syracuse lived and died with his arm. McCord's aggressiveness occasionally burned him, but his 34 touchdowns greatly outweighed his 12 interceptions. McCord throws with great touch and accuracy. He has above-average arm strength. McCord is a distributor who knows where to go with the ball. McCord's biggest flaw is his movement skills. He's an average athlete but struggles to throw on the move. He'll need to improve his technique to thrive in the NFL, as so many teams rely play-action boots. McCord is a point guard who must bceome a game manager at the next level. He projects as a long-term backup with the upside to become a starting quarterback. 6. Cam Miller, North Dakota State Cam Miller is the most underrated quarterback in the draft class. The 6-foot North Dakota State University quarterback won two FCS championships and walks away with the most wins in FCS history. It's hard not to overlook the undersized quarterback. Miller is an experienced quarterback who has a deep understanding of defenses. The quarterback quickly diagnoses players before delivering a catchable ball with pinpoint accuracy. He's always throwing at the top of his drop-back. Miller has average arm strength and can access every portion of the field. Miller is an average athlete,but might have the best brain in the class. He must better navigate the pocket in the next level, as they'll be far more congested than in college. Miller's brain should give him a decade-long career in the NFL as a backup, and another few decades as a coach. He would be a great option in the third round. 7. Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss Jaxson Dart has one of the best arms in the class. The quarterback can throw 60-yard bombs with ease. It's hard to watch him throw a big post route and not fall in love. Dart has the arm and athleticism to be a productive NFL starter. His biggest question mark is his football IQ. Dart has 41 starts in his career, 38 with Ole Miss. But he doesn't look like an experienced quarterback. He struggles with diagnosing plays pre-snap, and he's slow on his reads. Dart should've been further along in his third year of the system. It's hard to envision he'll succeed in the NFL if he can't read defense. He has all the tools to succeed in the NFL, but it could take him years to develop into a competent quarterback. He's a solid option for teams in the third round. 8. Quinn Ewers, Texas Quinn Ewers was the former top-ranked quarterback recruit in the nation. Ewers spent a season at Ohio State before transferring to Texas. Ewers has led the Longhorns to two successful seasons. He has a fantastic arm and throws the ball well on the move. Ewers has two major weaknesses. He melts down under pressure and will attempt horrific throws to avoid sacks. Ewers struggled to read defenses and never got a firm command of Steve Sarkisian's run-pass-option offense. Ewers will need years to adjust to the NFL. He is a talented player and could thrive in a zone offense that can get him on the move with simplified reads. He'll likely spend most of his career as a backup. He's another solid option in the third round. 9. Tyler Shough, Louisville Tyler Shough is the oldest quarterback in the class, he committed to Oregon before transferring to Texas Tech in 2021. He spent three seasons with the Red Raiders before the last season with Louisville. Shough has only started 32 career games in his seven seasons of college football. He has a long history of injuries at the collegiate level that ended many of his seasons early. Shough has the prototypical size for the position at 6-foot-4, 225-pounds. He has a howitzer for an arm and is strong enough to shake defenders off. Shough isn't a traditional pocket passer; he plays as an improviser, always hunting for the big play. Shough plays the game aggressively, and it can lead to big plays and boneheaded decisions. He must gain control of his wild streaks to succeed in the NFL. He's a loose cannon with a big arm. Shough is worth a flyer on day three of the NFL draft. 10. Will Howard, Ohio State Will Howard is the reigning championship quarterback. Howard had an up-and-down year before hitting his stride in the college football playoffs. Howard trusted his eyes and threw the ball confidently over the season's last four games. He had a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde moment after a rough regular season at Ohio State. The 6-foot-4, 236-pound quarterback is an above-average athlete with an average arm. He struggles to access the deep portions of the field. Howard must prove he can run an offense in the NFL. Howard's physical skills make him an intriguing option on day three of the NFL draft. 11. Max Brosmer, Minnesota Max Brosmer is one of the most experienced quarterbacks in the class. Brosmer started his career at New Hampshire before transferring to Minnesota. The former FCS All-American has started 47 games in his six seasons of college football. Brosmer is a cerebral quarterback who knows how to operate an offense. The 6-foot-1 quarterback doesn't have the athleticism or arm to thrive at the NFL level, but he could make a competent backup. He should go in the back half of day three in the NFL draft. 12. Seth Henigan, Memphis Seth Henigan is one of the most experienced quarterback prospects. He's started 50 games in four years for the Memphis Tigers. The Tigers have grown their offense around Henigan, adapting to his strengths and weaknesses. Henigan left Memphis as the career leader of all of their passing records. Henigan is a 6-foot-3 pocket passer. He has limited arm strength, but good touch and accuracy. Henigan will make a good backup quarterback in the NFL who can start in place of an emergency. Henigan would be a good option on day three for teams looking for a third quarterback to develop. 13. Dillon Gabriel, Oregon Dillon Gabriel is another highly experienced quarterback option. Gabriel has started 63 games in his six seasons of college football. Gabriel started his career at UCF for three seasons, before transferring to Oklahoma for two seasons, and finishing his career at Oregon. He is an undersized distributor, he's 5-foot-11 with average arm strength. Gabriel doesn't have the physical abilities to succeed in the NFL, but he could develop into a serviceable backup. He is a fine option at the end of day three. 14. Riley Leonard, Notre Dame Riley Leonard started his collegiate career at Duke before transferring to Notre Dame for his final season. The quarterback started 37 games during his four seasons. Leonard is an experienced quarterback with a 6-foot-3 210-pound frame. Leonard is an average athlete with a subpar arm. His limited skill set makes it unlikely he'll succeed at the NFL level. However, the quarterback is smart enough to hang on as a backup throughout his career. Riley is a worthy selection at the end of day three.
