2016 NFL quarterback prospects come down to three
Oct 3, 2015; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Christian Hackenberg (14) drops back to pass as Army Black Knights linebacker Jeremy Timpf (39) defends during the second quarter at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
No. 1: Christian Hackenberg
At 6’4″, 235 pounds, Penn State quarterback Christian Hackenberg has great size and a big arm. He also comes from a pro style system the requires him to read defenses and go through his progressions. And even though his numbers don’t indicate it, he has good accuracy and touch.
The problem with Hackenberg is he went to Penn State, where they had the penalties after the child abuse scandal. He could have left but he didn’t, instead putting the program on his shoulders and taking it as far as he could. It’s going to be like that in the NFL when he’s picked in the top 10 so he already has a head start in that department.
It takes a lot of mental toughness to have that responsibility as he makes Penn State worth the price of admission. He doesn’t have the numbers the other two guys have but if he had a reasonable team around him, he would be the favorite to win the Heisman. And his performance Saturday showed his ability to lift his team up to victory.
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