In the weeks leading up to the NFL Draft, scheduled for April 25-26, BaltimoreRavens.com will take a look at the top collegiate prospects from each position group. The best of the remaining quarterbacks are featured here.
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Rhett Bomar (6-foot-2, 225-pounds) Sam Houston State - A former blue-chip prospect at Oklahoma, Bomar had to salvage his career at Sam Houston State where he transferred after being booted from the Sooners when he accepted pay for work he didn't do at a car dealership. But, that's just what he did, throwing for 2,209 yards and 10 touchdowns and rushed for 406 yards and seven scores in nine games. Still not convinced, ask Kansas, who got torched by the Football Championship Subdivision quarterback for 340 yards despite his team being completely overmatched.
He said it:Did the expulsion from Oklahoma mature you? "I think there's no question about that. That's how I try to look at it now. It was unfortunate and of course I wish it hadn't happened, and things might have been different. But the way I look at it, it matured me a lot. I was young back then and I made a mistake, and that was that. I've grown up a lot since then."
Hunter Cantwell (6-foot-5, 235 pound) Louisville- Cantwell has the size and arm strength of a prototypical drop-back passer, but his resume isn't necessarily shining. After sitting for four years in 2007 second-round draft pick Brian Brohm, Cantwell only started one season for the Cardinals, completing only 59 percent of his passes and throwing 16 touchdowns and 16 interceptions. But, his long, looping release was shortened before the NFL Combine, which raised more interest among draft analysts after he threw.
He said it:What went into your decision to tweak your throwing style? "Hopefully, I can continue to show that it's something I shortened up and it's no longer an issue. You're always working to get better, too, with footwork and hips. It's a never-ending process."
Chase Daniel (6-foot, 218 pounds) Missouri -There are questions about Daniel's arm strength and definitely his height, but he's always responded by putting up big numbers. Another spread offense gunslinger, Daniel operated mostly out of the shotgun. In 2008, he threw for a staggering 4,335 yards (385-of-528) for 39 touchdowns and 18 interceptions. His passer rating was 159.4. That's incredibly impressive for any quarterback, no matter their height.
He said it:Does your time in the shotgun hurt you? "I was talking to coaches, and they said, 'Hey, the NFL is moving that way. Sooner or later they're going to be mostly shotgun teams, and that's really how it is right now. You look at some teams, and they're 80 percent shotguns."
Nate Davis (6-foot-2, 226 pounds) Ball State -Perhaps following in the footsteps of former MAC quarterbacks to excel at the next level - like Ben Roethlisberger, Chad Pennington and Byron Leftwich - Davis has the tools for success. He boasts a strong arm strength and is accurate, as shown by his 64.3 completion percentage last year. Davis actually posted 3,591 yards in 2008, tossing 26 scores and only eight picks, but those inflated numbers could be a by-product of Ball State's spread system. Davis is also excellent when on the move.
He said it:How have coaches reacted to you not being a prototypical quarterback? "I think I am. A lot of teams have talked to me about playing in the shotgun. I need to get out there and show the teams that I can play under center."
Pat White (6-foot, 197 pounds) West Virginia -White could be a weapon at many positions, especially for a team that runs some sort of the Wildcat offense. He holds the NCAA rushing record for a quarterback with 4,480 yards over his four-year career. But, he's not just a runner. White impressed scouts at the Combine during quarterback drills because of his arm and calm demeanor. At his Pro Day earlier this week, White didn't even participate in any receiver/running back drills.
He said it:What do you think about people talking about you playing another position? "I just want to help out in any way that I can whether that be at receiver or punt returner. Any way that I can help the team win is something that I'm looking forward to."
John Parker Wilson (6-foot-2, 219 pounds) Alabama -A three-year starter at SEC powerhouse Alabama, Wilson is an experienced leader, but was slightly erratic throughout his career. Last season, he completed a career-best 57.9 percent of his passes (186-of-321) for 2,243 yards, nine touchdowns and seven interceptions. However, the Crimson Tide's offense was geared around the run, which may have kept him from making some plays.
He said it:How can your time in the spotlight help you at the next level? "I think starting there years atAlabama in the SEC, I don't think I could be much more prepared than I am right now. Seeing our defense week-in and week-out and seeing the talent and schemes in the SEC I don't think it gets much better than that."
