When you think of recent all-time great college football quarterbacks, a few notables should immediately come to mind: Vince Young, Matt Leinart, Colt McCoy, Tim Tebow.
Leinart and Tebow are statistically and winning-wise could both be argued as the best of all-time. Colt McCoy has the most wins of any college football quarterback ever. And Vince Young may have been the most dominant of them all as far as being just a pure winner.
But by the end of next season, another name should put in that class, and that’s Kellen Moore of Boise State. And like all of those above greats, he should not only be remembered for his play in college, but should get a legit shot at being an NFL quarterback.
Let’s just take a look at some of his raw numbers. He has 10,867 yards now, and based on his averages, he should end his career Top 5 all-time in passing yards. But to all those who disregard yardage numbers as greatness, I can see how that’s not of grave importance. How about touchdown passes? He’s at 99 right now, and that’s 35 away from the all time record. That’s also very possible, considering he had 35 last year.
But maybe that’s not convincing. How about interception numbers? Matt Leinart, considered one of the best passing efficiency quarterbacks college football has ever seen, threw just one interception every 54 attempts. That’s outstanding. Kellen Moore? One every 64 attempts. Okay, how about the gold standard of wins? Colt McCoy has the all-time wins record with 45. Matt Leinart has the highest winning percentage of quarterbacks since 1970 in 94.8% (record of 37-2). And Moore? Seven wins shy of 45, and a career winning percentage thus far of 95%.
The main argument against Moore being mentioned in that group is that he didn’t play in a BCS conference. I get that. Young, Leinart, McCoy and especially Tebow played in brutal games against future NFL studs. However, Moore has a 4-2 record against teams that finished a season with a Top 25 ranking, including a win at Oregon first game of the year and a BCS win against TCU in 2009, and a win at Virginia Tech and against Utah in a bowl game in 2010. And if it wasn’t for a missed field goal, Moore could have very well been playing for a BCS title game last year, despite going to Boise State.
While Moore may be an undefeated season away from being a Heisman Trophy winner, a BCS Title contender and one of college football’s all-time greats, he a whole year of evaluation and an the entire pre-draft circus before he’s an NFL Draft selection.
Right now, he’s not viewed as a draftable quarterback prospect by most. Why? Well, he’s a (listed) 6’0, 191 pound lefty quarterback with an average arm and comes from a spread system. There’s a lot right away NOT to like about him, and I understand that.
However, his ball placement across the field, his composure in the pocket, his ability to use his quick feet and move while keeping his eyes down field are outstanding. He has great timing and control of the offense he’s in, and he’s probably the most cerebral quarterback prospect I’ve seen leading up to this year.
What does he need to show myself as well as NFL scouts and GMs? Well, ability to make the 15 yard out passes and the 30 yard slants between safeties. The ability to make “all the throws”. Also, he’ll be playing at Georgia and against TCU this year, both teams with future NFL defenders. Plus, and maybe one of the best ways he can show he’s got timing beyond just with his top receivers, he’ll be without current NFL receivers Austin Pettis and Titus Young, who were both drafted two months ago.
In my book, as of now based on the seniors available, he’s a 3rd-4th round quarterback prospect. Can he get higher? Maybe a round or so, but he’ll likely never be able to be a 1st rounder. Could he drop? Sure, if he loses 2-3 games this year and gets injured or simply doesn’t prove he has an NFL arm. However, based on his outstanding football IQ, accuracy, confidence, and winning ability, don’t be shocked if scouts see Colt McCoy plus in Kellen Moore. As of now, I do.
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