As the countdown to the NFL draft begins, scouts and general managers are evaluating promising quarterback prospects. Among them, Riley Leonard, Shedeur Sanders, Jalen Milroe, and others have emerged as potential game-changers with varied skill sets and impressive college records. These athletes have shown exceptional talent and growth, making them intriguing options for teams seeking to bolster their quarterback ranks.
Riley Leonard's journey began at Duke, where he accumulated 4,450 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions over three seasons. His dual-threat capability is evident as he amassed 1,012 rushing yards, ranking eighth among quarterbacks. Transitioning to Notre Dame, Leonard further showcased his skills by throwing for 2,861 yards and 21 touchdowns while rushing for another 906 yards and adding 17 scores on the ground. An NFC assistant GM remarked on Leonard's progress this year, stating, "He's been the best of the bunch to me, and I've been impressed by his growth this year."
Shedeur Sanders distinguished himself with 11 go-ahead touchdown passes, tying for the second-most in the country. He closed the season with 4,134 passing yards, 37 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. Sanders' precision is notable, as highlighted by his 6.5% off-target rate, the third-lowest in the FBS. His ability to facilitate receivers' yards after the catch has drawn praise from an AFC area scout: "I like him and don't know if that can be coached out of him."
Jalen Milroe emerged as a dual-threat quarterback to watch after overcoming an early-season setback against Texas in 2023. His development trajectory suggests he could become one of the nation's premier dual-threat QBs. A director of college scouting noted the potential for Milroe's success at the next level and suggested a strategic approach: "You're going to have to go all-in on his skill set and build a scheme that just overwhelms."
Jackson Dart, known for his strong arm and fluid throwing mechanics, transferred from USC to Ole Miss, where he thrived in Lane Kiffin's fast-paced offense. His 11.1 air yards per attempt ranked fifth in the FBS, demonstrating his ability to stretch the field vertically. An NFC team area scout commented on the challenges of evaluating passers from such offenses: "Passers in that offense are always hard to project because everything's so open."
Quinn Ewers faced challenges early in the season due to an abdominal strain but returned with determination. Despite a high percentage of short throws—34.2% of his passes were at or behind the line of scrimmage—his performance remains a topic of discussion among scouts. An AFC national scout highlighted the need for improvement in his passing consistency: "It's clear that he knows where to go with it, but receivers still have to work way too hard to catch it at times."
Cameron Ward's journey through various college programs—Incarnate Word, Washington State, and Miami—has solidified his reputation as a candidate for the 2025 class. His consistent success across different levels has not gone unnoticed by scouts. A scouting director for an AFC team observed, "He's had nothing but success on two levels, and there hasn't been any drop-off since he moved up."
Leave a Reply