What I look for in a college QB.

What I look for in a college QB.

NOTE: Monday on NNR Samantha Bunten of NBC Sports and I looked at the teams that did not make the playoffs last year and what 5 things they had to do to get in this season.

1. Work ethic – It doesn’t matter how physically gifted a college QB might be. The NFL game for a QB is 70% mental and 30% athletic. There is no college QB that is mentally ready to play in the NFL. As good as Andrew Luck was at Stanford, he was not ready to read NFL defenses. It took a lot of film study to get him ready. When a QB has a reputation of being a party guy it is an indication that he does not take his game seriously enough.

2. Ability to convert film & playbook learning to the field – One of the reasons I was so high on Russell Wilson was his ability to step into Wisconsin and lead the team on the field. A QB has to totally internalize the playbook. He not only has to know what he is doing but what every other player on the field needs to do as well. Any NFL player can tell in the huddle if a QB knows the playbook or not. If not the team will loose respect for him and let down.

3. Arm Talent – This is not only arm strength but also accuracy and throwing motion. If I have to choose between accuracy and arm strength I select the former. The faster and smoother the throwing motion the better the chances of a QB succeeding at the NFL level.

4. Ability to stay healthy – This is much more than the ability to avoid the rush. It includes being smart about getting down or out of bounds to avoid a big hit. Wilson knows how to avoid the rush and can run but takes care of his body by running smart. Robert Griffin III has no feel for the rush and puts his body at risk every time he runs.

5. Leadership – While some downplay the leadership issue, it is critical for success at the NFL level. The QB must be the leader of the team.

That is what I think. Tell us what you think by commenting here or tweeting me @NNRonDSN.

NOTE: News, Notes and Rumors podcast are BACK. Check out our thoughts on Fridays about the games coming up and Monday on the results of the weekend. My co-host is Samantha Bunten of NBC Sports. Podcasts can be heard on https://fryingpansports.com/radio-show/. Thanks for your support.

Bill Smith is a former coach of several semi-pro teams, has officiated both football and basketball, done color on radio for college football and basketball and has scouted talent. He edits https://fryingpansports.com. He has also published several novels on and a non-fiction work at http://www.merriam-press.com/. Follow him on twitter @NNRonDSN to get the schedule of Special News, Notes and Rumors broadcasts. You can hear the previous shows on https://fryingpansports.com/radio-show/.

He also edits .

To keep up with the News, Notes & Rumors podcasts, follow me on twitter @NNRonDSN.

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