Pat White and Tim Tebow Linked

The spread offense has spurned out two types of quarterbacks in college. One, your Chase Daniels, Graham Harrells, and even Sam Bradford. Their smart, accurate passers, using the whole field as if working in a 7-on-7 drill. They put up gaudy passing numbers and anticipate breaking records every season through the air.

Then, there are the second type, the athletes.

And, in my opinion, there have been three truly great ones since the spread became the dominator of the NCAA ranks. One, former number three overall pick and current backup Vince Young. At Texas, Young still passed, yes, but his running ability made him a joy to watch, and a fear to defend.

The problem has been, however, that the Titans can’t design an offense that can utilize Young’s running ability enough while also concealing his ineffective passing potential.

That leads me to the next two great spread offense quarterback/athletes, Pat White from West Virginia and currently going through the draft process, and Tim Tebow of Florida, college superstar and Heisman winner.

White’s college resume isn’t quite a shame compared to Tebow, as he left college the all-time leading rusher for a quarterback and the only quarterback ever to win four bowl games, two being upsets in BCS bids. He’s one of the greatest players in Big East history, and one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in history.

But, people have questioned his quarterback play from the getco. And, up until his senior season, I really felt that that general assumption was true. Team’s were so scared that he, or his running back companions (Steve Slaton and Noel Devine) would sprint past them, that they would LET White beat them with his arm. Sadly, I fear that most TV personalities and journalist assumed that his passing ability was suspect because of the system he played in, and never cared to actually scout his arm strength and abilities this season.

As I took a look at him this season, particularly against North Carolina in the Meineke Car Care Bowl and anticipating on watching his running ability, I was gladly surprised at his arm strength, deep ball accuracy, and his vision downfield. His stat line for that game is below:

26-32 (81.3% comp.) for 332 yards and 3 touchdowns with 1 interception

The stats are Heisman-like. But they didn’t tell the whole story. His throws were perfect. One play in particular made me write in all caps as I friverously scouted they series of events. White took the ball from the shotgun, three steps back, dodged 2 potential sackers, and launched a 44 yard strike between two reaching defenders in the back of the end zone to hit an in-stride receiver. A perfect pass.

That vivid description of the best pass of the game was one of quite a few great passes thrown by White in that game and in the whole season. It’s purpose was to describe that White has the throwing ability to be a legit prospect in the NFL Draft. His unwillingness, to an extent, to go to another position shows his dedication to continue his throwing days, and I have the feeling a team will give him a shot.

And the newest fad in the NFL may be White’s best shot, the Wildcat. It was a key ingredient in the Dolphins success, as Ronnie Brown ran, threw, and scored out of the set. But who better to run it at the next level than a legit quarterback who has the running ability to be a speed back in the pros.

While there’s a lot to be determined about White’s quarterback days in the pros, his success may dictate if Tebow is given a shot in the 2010 Draft. Tebow is most comparable to Vince Young in that he’s a physical runner and a tall athlete. But, with the emergence of the Wildcat, along with slightly lower immediate expectations than Young was insurmountably faced with. Tebow has said numerous times that he feels he can be a top-notch quarterback in the pros, as have his coaches and fellow SEC opponents.

But, because of his lack of great deep ball accuracy, the fact that he ran a one-read system in college, or that his throwing motion is somewhat long, NFL teams may be scared off to an extent, especially in round 1. But, if Pat White goes to a team like, lets lay, the 49ers, who need a receiver, speed runner, and help at quarterback, and actually shows signs that he can translate his college collegiate domination into NFL success, then their could be hope. Because, as we have seen with the past few years, the league is very copy-cat driven, and if you can’t stop the versatility of a Pat White, then join them by drafting a guy like Tebow.

So, as Tebow tries to win a Heisman, as well as increase his draft stock, he will be cheering on the Mountaineer star at the next level, as well as Vince Young’s possible return, with all of his enormous heart and Superman smile.