Big Blue Huddle

Hidden Gem? Late round steal?

QB Cameron Rising, Utah

2023 stats: DNP
2024 sitting out until his ACL is completely healed

Rising wasn't supposed to be Utah's savior back in September 2021. The Utes opened that season with Charlie Brewer as their starter after the Baylor transfer beat out Rising for the job. The early results were poor, however, and Utah lost its first two games against FBS foes before coach Kyle Whittingham made a change. And once Utah was Rising's team, the Utes never looked back.

Rising and the Utes went 9-1 and won a Pac-12 championship before losing in a shootout against Ohio State in the Rose Bowl -- a game in which Rising accounted for three TDs and completed 77% of his throws. It was more of the same in 2022, with Rising leading the Utes to a 10-3 record and another Pac-12 title before falling to Penn State in the Rose Bowl. Over the course of those two seasons, Rising was 18-6 as a starter with 46 touchdown passes, 13 picks and an 83.6 Total QBR.

But for a true appreciation of Rising's value, just look what happened to Utah's offense when he missed the 2023 campaign with a knee injury. The Utes went from averaging nearly 39 points in 2022 to just 23 last year, and saw a decline of 85 passing yards per game, while their pass TD total was cut in half. -- David Hale (ESPN)

ESPN has him ranked no.9 above Cameron Ward no.10

Great job, Jess.  One thing I got from this is that if they don't get "their" guy with their top pick, they can expect to get a plausible prospect in the second or even the third round.  Sit him under a FA veteran for a year or two and you might have something.  Or then get "their" guy in 2026.

Quote from: Jclayton92 on November 12, 2024, 01:42:54 AMQuintessential Guide to College Qbs the next 2 years.

2025 Draft

1. Sheddur Sanders Colorado- The best part of Sanders game is easily his processing of the field, and his understanding of defensive concepts. He has pre snap control over the offense with protections and play calls, and is already elite with his eyes and identify leverage advantages. Footwork needs work, but his accuracy at the short and intermediate is excellent. Navigates the pocket well, has a solid build, and doesn't put the ball in harms way despite the pressure he gets with the bad Colorado Oline. He will be a 23 year old rookie, and will need time to adjust, but Pat Shurmer has him running a pro style offense which will benefit him.

2. Cam Ward Miami- Kid has insane Arm talent, the best raw Arm talent since Josh Allen. He can abuse defenses at all 3 levels with ease, but his decision making and mechanics can fail him under pressure. I have noticed that no matter where he throws the ball it comes out the same speed which is concerning. The only thing that really concerns me with Ward is the same issue that I had with Caleb Williams last year, he holds the ball entirely too long trying to play hero ball. Under pressure he breaks down and isn't the same kid. The competition he's faced like Sanders will come into question. Each played at Incarnate Ward/Jackson St before going to Washington St/Miami and Colorado.

3. Jalen Milroe Alabama- Like Sanders and Ward before him, Milroe stands around 6'2 220lbs. He initially backed up Bryce Young, and only did designed runs/packages, but took over last year. His one cut agility and explosiveness is elite by any metric. Would immediately be a top 3 running Qb in the NFL day one. He has Elite Arm Strength, equal to that of Josh Allen. His off platform and angled throws are amazing at times. The long game is excellent, and he has gotten better with the intermediate and short game. Has a lot to learn about footwork, mechanics, and layering the football. It's not that he can't do those things, he's simply extremely raw and will need time, and a good coach. His legs and long ball will bring him to the dance while he learns everything else.

4. Jaxson Dart Ole Miss- At times Dart with his Arm Strength, ability to run, and moxy flash Elite Qb. Dart can read defenses, and takes complete control of his offense moreso than any Qb on this list currently. He has great touch, can layer with the best, and run a multitude of offensive schemes with his diversity. He still needs to work on his ball placement on deep routes, and sliding instead of trying to truck people, but he is an intriguing prospect that will only grow as the season comes to an end.

5. Garrett Nussmeier LSU- Is a Giant question mark and I don't know that I would want my team drafting such an unknown. He's been in college 4 years and is finally playing as a senior. He started off hot but has cooled off recently. His pocket awareness is next level, but that might be the only quality currently. His decision making, ball placement, and locking onto first reads is a serious concern no matter the arm talent you see from him.

6. Drew Allar Penn St- At 6'5 241lbs Allars elite physical tools are the equivalent of a player you'd create on Madden, he has everything you could want. He's the blueprint talent wise that all teams covet, but it all hasn't clicked yet. I think a lot of that especially in 2022 was on Penn St as he virtually had zero help with any skill players, and it's more of the same this year. Isn't as quick as he seems, can be to methodical at times. He also needs to work on his arm control. If this kid goes to the right situation then he could be something. Having time to develop will decide his future in the NFL.

7. Quinn Ewers Texas- The otherworldly High School prospect that couldn't beat out Stroud so he moved back to Texas. His first year in Texas was mediocre, and despite Analysts praising Texas' offense last year, he underwhelmed when you consider the elite NFL talent he had at WR, RB, and TE. So far this year we've seen Elite Ewers, and Daniel Jones Ewers depending on the game. I don't know that he's built to hold up in the NFL. When he is on, his arm talent, decision making, and pocket awareness is next level. He is undisciplined and lazy at times, likely playing on pure talent and little else. If he was consistent in his execution then he would be a top 3 pick, however he isn't and the big question right now is why?

8. Kurtis Rourke Indiana- His brother Nathan is currently a star in the CFL and Kurtis would likely be the number 1 overall pick in the CFL tomorrow. The kid racked up honors everywhere in the MAC before coming to Indiana and leading their resurgence this year. Kid is always good for 250 yards and 4 tds every year on the ground and has been good but not great throwing the ball. He's very efficient but nothing really jumps off the page. He has a lot of talent that I don't think had been unlocked yet but he will be 25 during jis rookie year. Great 2nd string Qb potential.

9. Carson Beck Georgia- The curse of Georgia making pedestrian QBs seem better than they are strikes again. He came into the season as QB1 and has fallen to mid round prospect. His completion percentage has dropped 7 points since last year, and doubling his Int totals with several games left to play. Prototypical size, but lacks any agility, or timing. I never thought he was a guy, but him completely crumbling this season reinforces a lot of what most were already seeing. Nothing elite or special, was elevated last year by a generational TE, defense, and multiple great Wrs. This season he can't elevate all the 5 stars around him which is alarming.

10. Dillon Gabriel Oregon- A dual threat steady hand, who will turn 25 during his rookie year. Gabriel can run, throw, and lead an offense very well. He's undersized, lacks arm talent, and has a very capped ceiling. I would say he's a more mobile, better thrower version of Bo Nix with less upside. A disciplined and accurate passer that tends to stare down his Wrs and will be limited by his 6"0 height and frame.

The rest:
Brady Cook, Riley Leonard, Miller Moss, Donovan Smith, Will Howard, Noah Fifta, Diego Pavia, and Taylen Green.

Darkhorses:

Diego Pavia Vandy- Some people you watch play and say wow that's a football player. That's Diego Pavia, he stands 5'11 and nothing about him pops off the screen as elite. He is the definition of a gamer, all this kid wants to do is win. He looks more like a Rb and welcomes contact, and throws lasers in the short to intermediate.  His long game needs a lot of work but in a Read option offense he could be Electric. He excells is making quick decisions either throwing it in the short/intermediate or tucking it and running. He Is the new Pitbull version of Taysom Hill. You could draft this kid and play him anywhere on offense, or have a package for him at Qb. I mean the kid has Vandy with their best season in forever.

Taylan Green Arkansas- This kid year 1 as a starter is the only reason Arkansas hasn't lost every game. The kid has a rocket for an arm and Elite explosiveness. At 6"6 240lbs he runs a 4.3 forty and  has been clocked at 23 mph regularly. His vision on extended plays is next level and he has gotten better every year. Arkansas is a Dumpster fire but this kid right now is Joe Milton, if Joe Milton could run like Lamar Jackson. Could be an intriguing late round flier that could pay off with the right staff.

**Will edit/add the 2026 draft class tomorrow.

Feel free to add your own perception of each Qb or add a Qb you may think is worthy of looking at. Like currently I'm looking at Noah Fifta of Arizona as an underrated prospect.

Awesome stuff! As we've discussed on other threads, our evaluations of this year's class is pretty well aligned.

I'm glad to see Rourke on your list. I agree that there's some untapped potential there. And while some may see his age as a detriment, I see it differently.

I think his age will cause him to be undervalued and fall in the draft, making his selection in the 4th or 5th to be great value. And I also see him as being in a better position to step right in next year than some of the younger prospects.

Because I like the 2026 and 2027 classes more, I'd much rather have someone like Rourke be the bridge QB (vs. a vet retread). Much higher upside and won't require a big contract like our current backup QB.

Quote from: AZGiantFan on November 12, 2024, 12:23:51 PMGreat job, Jess.  One thing I got from this is that if they don't get "their" guy with their top pick, they can expect to get a plausible prospect in the second or even the third round.  Sit him under a FA veteran for a year or two and you might have something.  Or then get "their" guy in 2026.

Absolutely the same way I see it currently. If we assume we have a top draft pick and trade down or wait until 2026 then some ELITE shut down corners, micah parsons clone, and pass rushers fall into our laps. I honestly think we are two good drafts from really competing assuming we keep our core group intact and in one of the two drafts we grab our guy at Qb.

I would move Allar up one spot over Nussmeier, but I overall agree with the rankings otherwise.

Also, Dart is such a perfect last name for a QB, IDK if he will be good in the pros, but that is a great QB name

Quote from: Ed Vette on November 12, 2024, 06:47:37 AMThanks for the critique. My fear is the Giants draft Carson Beck just because...

Because he kind of looks like Eli?

Since I get the College PFF grades as well, I thought I would share these to add an extra dimension

Sanders- 90.3
Ward- 91.1
Milroe- 85.3
Dart- 91.9
Nussmeier -81.1
Allar- 87.9
Ewers- 67.0
Rourke- 91.3
Beck- 77.8
Gabriel- 88.7

Quote from: AZGiantFan on November 12, 2024, 12:23:51 PMGreat job, Jess.  One thing I got from this is that if they don't get "their" guy with their top pick, they can expect to get a plausible prospect in the second or even the third round.  Sit him under a FA veteran for a year or two and you might have something.  Or then get "their" guy in 2026.

Plausible is a not an unreasonable term when applied to 1st Round picks especially those taken nearer the front end. But decades of Draft history make 2nd and 3rd Round QB picks little more than throw-away gestures of hope if not hopelessness. They already have all of such on the Roster in Jones albeit way overpriced, Lock, and Cutlets.

Cheers! 

"Processing of the field" that is music to my hears. Sign me up for that (Sanders)

Updated/bumped as I added the top 10 qbs for the 2026 draft to the main post.

IMO this draft class has maybe two guys that could start year one:


Sheddur Sanders
 
Quinn Ewers



But that not bad at all. I would get Mariota, Flacco, Dalton or Taylor. And draft Sanders or Ewers if they can.

If neither guy is available, I would go after Drew Allar, Garrett Nussmeier or Dart and let them sit for a year.

Quote from: Jclayton92 on November 12, 2024, 01:42:54 AM1.Arch Manning Texas- At 6'4 225lbs with mobility Arch is a tantalizing prospect. Will likely be labeled a generational talent and he's only started two games. He has a quick release, great frame, better footwork, and an excellent deep ball. Surprising how quick he is but has arm talent to do anything asked of him. Next year the focus on him has to be 3 things:
1. he's got to not lock onto his primary wr
2. Improve his processing and working through reads
3. Holding onto the ball to long and forcing throws

Hmmmm, this sounds familiar.