Christian Hackenberg still looks like the No. 1 QB prostpect

Oct 31, 2015; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Christian Hackenberg (14) scrambles out of the pocket as Illinois Fighting Illini defensive end Carroll Phillips (6) defends during the third quarter at Beaver Stadium. Penn State won 39-0. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Christian Hackenberg’s horrible game in a loss to the Temple Owls seems like a very long time ago now. The one where he went 11-25 for 103 yards with no touchdowns and an interception. That performance dropped him out of the first round for many but not for me because he has all the traits you want in an NFL quarterback.

Plus with the scandal that went on there, Penn State lost a lot of scholarships and players. Hackenberg and a couple of defensive players are are the only guys worth the price of admission to a Penn State game. And when you look at how Temple gave a No. 9 ranked Notre Dame team that lost to the No. 3 Clemson Tigers all they can handle that loss doesn’t look as bad.

Since that loss, Hackenberg has put Penn State’s offense on his back and made it explosive in small stretches. But their inability to protect Hackenberg and run the ball consistently has led to mixed results. Against Illinois, Penn State’s interior linemen gave Hackenberg plenty of room to step up to avoid outside pressure and use the big arm to throw down the field.

Hackenberg also had some help from the running game, taking full advantage of it to show what he can do. Hewas 21-29 for 266-yards and two touchdowns passing and one receiving. The ball just jumps out of his hand when he throws, and he’s pin-point accurate when reasonably protected.

Next: 2016-nfl-mock-draft-two-rounds-week-8

He is the No. 1 quarterback in the 2016 NFL Draft in my book.