Zach Mettenberger, Quarterback, LSU 2013 NFL Draft Scouting Report

This is the scouting report page for LSU quarterback Zach Mettenberger. Be sure to check out all of our scouting reports for the 2013 NFL draft and follow us on Twitter, @NFLMocks.

Pre-season report:

Mettenberger started off his collegiate career at Georgia before transferring to a junior college in 2010, where he played a full season and led Butler (Kansas) Junior College to an 11-1 record and a shot at a national championship. He only completed just under 59 percent of his passes, but he was ranked the top JUCO prospect in the nation in 2010 and signed on with LSU for the 2011 season where he made his debut in five games. With the Tigers in 2011, Mettenberger completed 8-of-11 passes for 95 yards and a touchdown. Nothing to write home about, but after Spring practices, the LSU fan base is buzzing and talking about how good this kid is. He certainly has the size you look for in an NFL quarterback, but he’s pretty inexperienced and this is already his fourth year in college (2009 graduate of HS). He could wind up being an older rookie, but if he has a breakout season in 2012, don’t be surprised to see him bolt for the NFL, especially if LSU wins a national title this year. He certainly has enough help around him to be able to do so. I was able to dig up a scouting report from ESPN’s recruiting services of Mettenberger when he was coming out of JUCO in 2010. Here’s the full report:

Mettenberger is an ideal pocket passer, with outstanding measurables, arm strength and poise. He resembles Eli Manning in stature and fundamentals. Has everything a college program seeks in a young quarterback: size, athleticism, arm strength and very good overall intangibles. His mechanics, for the most part, are solid. Seems to have a feel for the game and is cool under pressure. Has a nice, high release and shows good quickness in his drops. He’s a good ball handler who carries out play fakes well. Shows elite velocity on throws to the perimeter, nice touch and accuracy on short and intermediate passes. Can throw an excellent deep ball, but hasn’t done so consistently. Shows great patience in the pocket, allowing his receivers to work themselves into the open. Has the toughness to take a hit on a play that is late to develop. Keeps his eyes downfield when rushed and can buy himself second chances. He’s calm when facing the blitz and has enough movement skills to slide in the pocket and avoid some contact to get the ball off. But he isn’t a scrambler and won’t make many plays with his legs. Shows decent athleticism, but needs to play in a pro-style passing game (with a good dose of play-action) to flourish. His timing, rhythm and balance off the dropback are the traits that bring out his accuracy, arm strength and productivity. Mettenberger has pocket-passer size and the biggest arm and best ball revolutions in his class. He’s one of this year’s best passers and an excellent overall prospect.