Ourlads Archives

Quarterbacks - 2023 Ourlads’ Draft Preview

Dave Syversten, Jon Cooper, Dan Shonka
12/07/2022 11:33AM ET

1.Stroud, CJ*

Ohio State 6030 215

 
Two year starter from Island Empire, CA.  3rd Team All American and 1st team All Big 10 quarterback that set 17 single season records in 2021.  Excellent thrower of the ball that spins it crisp and catchable.  Understands the blend of touch and velocity.  Notable accuracy to the intermediate level and layers it between linebackers and defensive backs with ease.  Plus athlete that will make plenty happen with his legs.  Will make off-schedule throws and even at times appears to be more comfortable when needing to do so, especially when he rolls right.  High success rate and accuracy grade as a deep-ball passer.  Quality as a passer overall shrinks when he plays within a busy pocket.  Needs space to be effective on a consistent basis. Does not have a lot of experience progressing through reads with pressure bearing down on him.
 

2. Young, Bryce*

Alabama 6000 194

 
Two year starter from Pasadena, CA.  2021 Heisman Trophy Winner in his first season at the helm.  All American and 1st Team All SEC honoree plays with a slow pulse and calm demeanor in high pressure situations.  Will keep things in check and prevent things from spiraling out of control.  A train conductor with natural presence and leadership among men.  Keep his feet quiet and light, always ready to abruptly evade pressure in any direction.  Slippery to pass rushers.  Plays the role of a magician in traffic with great escapability.  Puts great tempo on the ball.  Just enough touch to make it an easy ball to catch but just enough zip to get it there on time like a Tom Glavine-fastball. Increases his skill set in high-pressure moments.  Great decision maker that can make all the throws and process information in a hurry.  Lack of size and power presence shows up when defenders get solid contact on him.  Will shop lapses in concentration under repeated pass rush, forcing too much into tight windows.  Needs more consistent ball security habits. Shoulder injury vs Arkansas may affect status. 
 
 

3. Hooker, Hendon

Tennessee 6033 221

 
Four year starter from Greensboro, NC.  Two of those years were at Virginia Tech and two are with Tennessee.  Transfer took place prior to the 2021 season.  Big, physical, and tough competitor that will play through contact in the pocket.  Can break himself free from the grasp of a defender and long-stride his way for big gains on undesigned runs.  Will stand tall with pressure bearing down.  Will give his receivers every possible tenth of a second to get open, even if it means more big hits coming his way.  Natural power creates more than enough zip on the ball to all levels.  Will make every throw and can up the tempo when needed.  Gets the deep ball high up in the air with a tight spiral, creating a “run to it” situation for his target.  Calculated risk taker.  Needs to get his footwork more consistent to prevent balls from trajecting too high.  Will turn 25 years old in January.  
 

4. Levis, Will 

Kentucky 6037 230

 
Two year starter from Madison, CT.  Spent three seasons at Penn State prior to transferring to Kentucky prior to the 2021 season.  Has an easy, explosive release that creates immediate force and velocity to the ball.  A simple flick of the wrist can launch the ball on a rope to short and intermediate areas of the route tree.  Shows cohesion between hips and arm action.  Powerful frame that handles contact well.  Has the accurate clock in the pocket and knows where to find the air bubbles while keeping eyes downfield.  Has developed subtle, but important, components to the position like selling play fakes and looking off defensive backs.  Progresses through reads finger on the trigger. Short memory, will shake off bad plays and compete immediately after.  Versatile playmaker that has enough juice and power presence to make big plays with his legs.  Ball placement can get inconsistent at times and needs to be more calculated with risk taking.
 

5. Leary, Devin

North Carolina State 6013 217

 
Four year starter from Sicklerville, NJ.  Multiple physical roadblocks (Covid-19, broken leg), but once settled into the starting role, the consistency came.  Has a smooth and repeatable release that spins the ball at an elite level.  Receiver-friendly passer that understands tempo, timing, and touch.  Anticipates his throws like a pro and will show no hesitation in launching the ball to open space before his receiver is open.  Shows a developed understanding of defensive schemes and which route concepts work within them.  Has a sharp clock in the pocket.  Tough enough to stare down a pass rusher if it means getting the ball out at the right time.  Athletic enough to escape pressure through creases inside and outside in a hurry.  May not have enough juice in his arm to make all the throws without a connection to his lower half.  The arm-only, last second throws can hang in the air a bit too long.
 
 

6. Richardson, Anthony*

Florida 6040 232

 

7. McKee, Tanner*

Stanford 6060 230

 

8. Hall, Jaren

BYU 6001  204

 

9. Travis, Jordan

Florida State 6010 196

 

10. O’Connell, Aidan

Purdue 6032 232

 

11. Penix Jr, Michael

Washington 6030 213

 

12. Haener, Jake

Fresno State 6000 209

 

13. Slovis, Kedon

 

Pittsburgh  6026 212

 

14. Jurkovec, Phil 

Boston College 6051 219 

 

15. Van Dyke, Tyler*

Miami 6040 224

 

16. Daniels, Jayden

LSU  6034  185

 

17. McCall, Grayson*

Coastal Carolina 6030 210

 

18. Hartman, Sam

Wake Forest  6010  210

 

19. Ward, Cameron*

Washington State  6020  220

 

20. Nix, Bo

Oregon 6017  217

 

21. Rogers, Will

Mississippi State 6020  210

 

22. Uiagalelei, DJ

Clemson  6040  235

 

23. Rising, Cameron

Utah 6014 216

 

24. Thompson-Robinson, Dorian

UCLA 6014 194

 

25. Bryant, Ben

Cincinnati 6030  213

 

26. Sanders, Spencer

Oklahoma State  6010  219

 

27. Bennett, Stetson

Georgia 5111 186 4.80

 

28. Armstrong, Brennan

Virginia 6010 210

 

29. Bagent, Tyson

Shepherd 6031 219

 

30. Rattler, Spencer

South Carolina 6010 215

 

31 Daniels, JT

West Virginia 6025 215

 

32. Tune, Clayton 

Houston 6023 213

 

* Denotes Underclassmen