Quarterbacks of the Future - Gil Brandt's Take on Up & Coming QB Prospects

The quarterback position is as strong as ever! And it seems to keep getting better every year!

So says GIL BRANDT, who oversaw the Dallas Cowboys' personnel department for 29 years and currently shares his gridiron knowledge as a senior analyst for NFL.com.

"The NFL is a quarterback-driven league and we have some great quarterbacks under center in 2009," Brandt says. "TOM BRADY, DREW BREES, JAY CUTLER, PEYTON and ELI MANNING, CARSON PALMER, and BEN ROETHLISBERGER will help carry this league for the next 10 years and JOE FLACCO and MATT RYAN are on the verge of joining that group."

Brandt, who also visits college campuses for draft analysis on NFL.com, sees plenty of quarterback talent coming up the pike.

"Looking at the quarterbacks at the college level, I think the future looks bright for QBs headed to the NFL."

Gil Brandt's Top College QBs (Alphabetical Order)

Quarterback HT / WT Brandt's Analysis
Source: National Football League
Sam Bradford, Oklahoma6-4/225"Has passed for 86 touchdowns in past two seasons. He is smart and very athletic with above-average arm strength and accuracy. Definitely a proven winner."
Jimmy Clausen, Notre Dame6-3/217"Has started for two years and finished 2008 season passing for 401 yards and five TDs in bowl game. Came to Notre Dame with a thin frame and has added weight and strength. Very knowledgeable player."
Dan LeFevour, Central Michigan6-3/225"Only the second quarterback in college football history to run for 1,000 yards and pass for 3,000 yards in a season. Very athletic with a good arm and strong leadership traits."
Colt McCoy, Texas6-3/212"Completed 76.7 percent of his passes last year. Has an above-average arm and is a great leader with great work habits. He is very smart and has above average running ability."
Zac Robinson, Oklahoma St.6-3/220"Holds school record for career total yards with 7,786. Moves well and has very good accuracy and understanding of the game."
Jevan Snead, Mississippi6-3/215"Transferred from Texas where he played behind Colt McCoy. Can make all the throws needed to be successful in the NFL. Has two years left at Ole Miss."
Tim Tebow, Florida6-3/235"Had 30 TD passes and only four INTs in 2008. Will be a top-10 pick in the 2010 NFL Draft. Has a strong arm with good accuracy -- great intangibles for position."
Isiah "Juice" Williams, Illinois6-2/235"Has improved his passing skills and is very athletic. Led Big Ten in passing yards in 2008."

 

BRANDT'S HONORABLE MENTIONS:

Max Hall, BYU; Tim Hiller, Western Michigan; Colin Kaepernick, Nevada; Jake Locker, Washington; Joseph Webb, Alabama Birmingham

The talent pool will only deepen with these five high school seniors, rated in order of talent by high school recruiting guru TOM LEMMING:

Quarterback HT / WT School Lemming's Analysis
Source: National Football League
Blake Bell6-6/220Wichita (KS) Bishop Carroll"Big-time passer and good athlete. His father Mark and uncle Mike both played in the NFL."
Jake Heaps6-2/195Sammamish (WA) Skyline"Most efficient passer in the country."
Devin Gardner6-4/205Detroit (MI) Inkster"Great spread offense quarterback and is definitely the best athlete of the group."
Phillip Sims6-2/215Chesapeake (VA) Oscar Smith"He can do it all. Great out-of-the-pocket passer."
Connor Wood6-4/210Houston (TX) Second Baptist"People love his potential. Has great arm strength and runs well for a big guy."

 

LEMMING'S HONORABLE MENTIONS:

Terrance Broadway, Capitol (LA) HS; Austin Hinder, Steamboat Springs (CO) HS; Nick Montana, Oaks Christian (CA) HS.

 

NFL 2009 Preview | Quarterbacks of the Future - Up & Coming QB Prospects