Zac Dysert Sneaking Up the Boards

I am really intrigued with some of the day-two quarterback prospects in the class. I highlighted Syracuse’s Ryan Nassib earlier in the year. He hasn’t blown up like I thought he would, but he has been solid. Mike Glennon and Brad Sorenson are two other guys who have stuck out to me as possible project QB’s. Miami of Ohio’s Zac Dysert is another guy that is really starting to gain some momentum.

Dysert is a redshirt senior at Miami and is in his fourth year as the starter. In those four years he hasn’t been surrounded by much in the way of weapons or protection, but has still managed to put up some impressive stats. He has played in every game since his freshman year except for a span of three games his sophomore year he sat out due to a lacerated spleen.

SO far this season Dysert has thrown over 2200 yards and 15 touchdowns to nine interceptions. Playing at Miami of Ohio, he obviously isn’t seeing the best competition, but Dysert is a gamer and has everything you look for in regards to physical tools.

Dysert is listed at 6’3″ and 228 pounds. He has a sturdy build and is strong enough to take a hit. His arm strength is impressive and he can really spin the ball in the mid range. He steps into his throws and really gets his body into the deep passes.His release is fairly quick as well.

Oct 6, 2012; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Miami Redhawks quarterback Zac Dysert (4) throws a pass during the second quarter of the game against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Nippert Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Leifheit-US PRESSWIRE

He moves well laterally in the pocket but no one will confuse him as a scrambler. Against the level of competition he plays with, he looks athletic and can throw on the run, but I think he is an in-the-box QB at the next level. He can shake off tacklers with his strength, and can be stubborn about going down, but not nearly at the level of former Miami stud QB, Ben Roethlisberger.

Dysert can be a little bit of a gunslinger. His receiver’s aren’t great at getting separation so he often takes it upon himself to really force passes into tight windows. This is good in a lot of ways as he doesn’t sit around waiting for big openings like a Sam Bradford. He will throw picks at the next level, but he will also move you down the field.

Due to level of competition, I certainly don’t think he is ready enough to be a day one contributor. He is the type of guy you take in the third round and groom. However, for a third rounder, you are getting a lot of good tools and starting experience to work with. Dysert will most likely be participating in the Senior Bowl, so that will be a good time for him to try and separate himself to try and make it into the second round, but I think he isn’t ‘ready’ enough to be taken there.

Keep an eye on Dysert this offseason to see if he can compete for a day two selection as a project QB. I think he goes in the Ryan Mallet-Nick Foles range, though I had both of those QB’s rated higher than where they were drafted.