End of November Quarterback Rankings
By Greg Maddox
Nov 10, 2012; Raleigh, NC, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack quarterback Mike Glennon (8) passes the ball against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons during the second half at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Dolejs-US PRESSWIRE
1. Gene Smith, West Virginia
Well he has certainly cooled from his red hot start to the season. He has gambled on more throws and lost. He still has the tools. He has ideal size and a strong arm built on an athletic body. He somewhat pales in comparison to Andrew Luck and RGIII from last season. I think he is about on par with Ryan Tannehill. The offense he comes out of is certainly a worry. However, he appears to be an intelligent player that understands the complexities of the position and has the physical tools to excel.
2. Tyler Wilson, Arkansas
If it were not for the concussion issues, Wilson may be my number one. It is very close between the top two. Wilson doesn’t have quite the arm or athleticism of Smith, and has a slightly slower release. His toughness and ability to produce with a less-than-ideal supporting cast in the toughest conference impress me. I love how gritty he is and think he can be a heady leader in the NFL. I picture Andy Dalton with a stronger arm. He probably won’t ever be a Peyton Manning or Tom Brady type, but he can be a not-always-pretty winner who can succeed despite rough waters.
3. Matt Barkley, USC
My preseason #1 guy has certainly made a fool out of me. At least I am not the only one. I still like Matt Barkley as a prospect due to his intelligence and understanding of the position. His technique isn’t flawless and neither is his decision-making. His arm strength is adequate and shouldn’t be a problem if he quits with the backfoot throwing. He may not come in and light the world on fire right away, but I firmly believe there is franchise-QB upside to be unearthed.
4. Zac Dysert, Miami (Ohio)
Dysert is the first QB on the list that I don’t see as a day one starter. I think his tools and poise are certainly admirable and he has a large amount of experience. The level of competition faced is concerning, which make him a second round pick in my opinion. He is built thickly and puts good spin on the ball. He isn’t worth a day one pick, but he has real NFL upside.
5. Mike Glennon, NC State
Glennon was once one of the top QB’s coming out of high school. He sat for awhile behind Russell Wilson but has put up impressive numbers in his two seasons as a starter. The upside is obvious. he is 6’5, 230 pounds and has a great arm. He isn’t mobile, and this problem is sometimes exacerbated by trudgy footwork in the pocket. He has developed somewhat slowly for someone who was viewed at as a capable freshman starter when he was being recruited. I think he is a day two pick and fits the Nick Foles’ role for this draft; the high upside mid-rounder who produced at a moderate program.