Top 09 Quarterbacks

[MIAdragon]

Sam Bradford**, Oklahoma
Height: 6-4. Weight: 214.
Projected 40 Time: 4.70.
Projected Round (2009): Top 5 Pick.
10/12/08: Oklahoma has a lot of work to do to get back into the national title picture, but that doesn't mean that Sam Bradford's draft stock is hurt in any way; through six games, Bradford has 2,052 yards, 23 touchdowns and only five interceptions.

3/26/08: Sam Bradford is going into his redshirt sophomore year, so he'll be eligible for the 2009 Draft. If he matches his 2007 numbers this upcoming year, I see no reason why he woudn't come out early. Bradford threw for 3,121 yards, 36 touchdowns and only eight picks - as a freshman. Unbelievable. Can we get a birth certificate?

Matt Stafford*, Georgia
Height: 6-3. Weight: 237.
Projected 40 Time: 4.74.
Projected Round (2009): Top 10 Pick.
10/12/08: Unless Sam Bradford declares, Matt Stafford will be the first quarterback chosen in the 2009 NFL Draft if he decides to come out early. Like Tim Tebow, Stafford has an extremely high ceiling.

3/26/08: Matt Stafford improved upon his freshman campaign, throwing for 2,523 yards and 19 touchdowns. He did, however, complete just 55.7 percent of his passes.

2007: I'm not as high on Matt Stafford as other people are. Call me crazy, but I'm not sold on a guy who compiled way more picks (13) than touchdowns (7), even if he was a freshman. Stafford threw three interceptions against both Mississippi State and Kentucky - not the greatest opponents in the world.

Stafford looked good against Auburn (14-20, 219 yds, 7 carries, 83 rush yds, 2 total TDs) and Georgia Tech (16-29, 171 yds, 1 TD), but things fell apart for him in the Chick Fil-A Bowl against Virginia Tech, where he went 9-of-21 for 129 yards, one touchdown and an interception. Stafford doesn't have the greatest weapons to work with, so I admit that I'm being a little harsh in my criticism.

Mark Sanchez*, USC
Height: 6-3. Weight: 225.
Projected 40 Time: 4.71.
Projected Round (2009): 1.
10/12/08: Mark Sanchez entered the Arizona State game with a completion rate of 66.7, 13 touchdowns, three picks and a YPA of 8.9. Unfortunately, he tossed three picks against the Sun Devils. Sanchez is a mid-to-late first-round prospect if he declares early. I doubt he does; we've seen USC quarterbacks play through their eligibility in the past. Trojan boosters must be paying them a great salary (not that there's anything wrong with that; lots of schools do it anyway).

3/26/08: Will likely take over for John David Booty in 2008. Only threw seven passes as a freshman, so there isn't much film to digest.


Colt McCoy*, Texas
Height: 6-3. Weight: 205.
Projected 40 Time: 4.69.
Projected Round (2009): 1-2.
10/12/08: Forget the sophomore slump. Colt McCoy is red-hot this season. His completion percentage is a shade off 80! He has 17 touchdowns and just three picks. His YPA is 9.9. He was brilliant against Oklahoma, going 28-of-35, 277 yards and a score.

3/26/08: Colt McCoy had a disappointing sophomore year, throwing 18 picks after just seven in 2006. His completion percentage dropped three points as well.

2007: McCoy threw interceptions like a madman in a 20-point loss to Kansas State. Through five games, he has way more picks than he had as a freshman.

McCoy's freshman campaign reminds me a bit of Philip Rivers' 2006 season. The Longhorns, much like Marty Schottenheimer, didn't let their young quarterback loose until midway through the season.

When McCoy was allowed to fire at will, he tore it up. He threw for six touchdowns against Baylor. He compiled 346 yards and three scores against Oklahoma State. He accumulated 256 yards and four touchdowns at Texas Tech. He was 26-of-40 for 308 yards and two scores in the Alamo Bowl against Iowa. There's no reason to think McCoy will regress; he has great weapons at his disposal and plays in a weak conference.


Josh Freeman*, Kansas State
Height: 6-6. Weight: 249.
Projected 40 Time: 4.83.
Projected Round (2009): 1-2.
10/12/08: Josh Freeman is having the best season of his collegiate career. Through six games, he has 12 touchdowns, two picks, a completion percentage of 65.6 and a YPA greater than nine.

Hunter Cantwell, Louisville
Height: 6-5. Weight: 230.
Projected 40 Time: 4.79.
Projected Round (2009): 3-4.
10/12/08: So much for all that hype. Hunter Cantwell has very pedestrian numbers (56.9 completion percentage, 6.6 YPA, 7-to-6 touchdown-to-interception ratio). He's now a long shot to be drafted on Day 1.

2007: This is sort of like the Carson Palmer-Matt Leinart situation at USC. Hunter Cantwell stepped in for an injured Brian Brohm in 2006 and threw for 700 yards, five touchdowns and two picks, maintaining a completion percentage of 64.3. One of the top prospects in the nation who will have to wait until the 2008 season to play.


Cullen Harper, Clemson
Height: 6-4. Weight: 215.
Projected 40 Time: 4.79.
Projected Round (2009): 3-4.
10/12/08: After several poor performances, Cullen Harper has been benched. Hey, it's not his fault his coach sucks. Kyle Orton was also benched in his senior season, and he was drafted in the fourth round. Joe Tiller is also a fool.

3/26/08: In his first season of extensive action, Cullen Harper threw for 2,887 yards, 27 touchdowns and only six interceptions. He qualified for the 2007 All-ACC Second Team.