Taking the road less traveled, former high school stand out, Gunner Kiel, looks to improve his draft stock in the coming season.
Redshirt senior, Gunner Kiel, enters the college football season as one of the most recognizable names under center. Kiel’s journey to this point has been nothing short of an adventure.
An Indiana native, Kiel was thought to be the Hoosier’s future signal caller only to flip his commitment to Notre Dame at the last-minute. After redshirting his first season at South Bend, Kiel decided to transfer to the Bearcats of Cincinnati.
After sitting out one season due to NCAA transfer requirements, Kiel took over first string duties for the Bearcats in his (redshirt) sophomore year. After starting 13 games in his first season, Kiel was named as an Honorable Mention All-American Atlantic Conference honoree (via ‘www.gobearcats.com/sports’).
After two productive seasons in Cincinnati (23 games, 62% completion percentage, 6,000 yards passing, 50 touchdowns, averaging 262.2 yards per game) Kiel is primed for another prolific season, hoping to build upon his draft stock.
Standing at 6’4, 215 pounds, Kiel looks the part of a prototypical NFL quarterback.
Even with his 6’4 frame, Kiel possesses enough athleticism to make plays with his feet.
In addition to his size, the two-time letterman boasts one of the bigger arms in his class, capable of making close to any throw on the football field with ease. However, Kiel, like many young, powerful arms, often lacks the desirable touch for the short to intermediate throws due to his lackluster footwork in the pocket. He can complete drop backs with little difficulty but when he is required to stay in the pocket for extended periods of time or when pressured, his feet work a little too frantically, messing up the timing of his delivery.
Kiel’s tendencies compare well to that of a Matthew Stafford-gunslinger style of play. When feeling pressure, he is quick to unload the ball, relying on his exceptional arm strength to get the ball to the desired destination. With that being said, his delivery is clean (shoulders square, good body rotation to generate power), if he sets his feet properly and drives towards his target Kiel delivers a tightly spun ball in a place where only his man can get to it.
Another knock on Kiel is that of his decision-making. There were a number of plays this past season where it was clear that Kiel had already decided where he was going to go with the ball before the play developed, staring down targets too long or forcing a throw into dangerous coverage. Experienced secondaries were able to prey on Kiel’s predetermined decisions, repeatedly breaking up routes and plays where Kiel televised too much.
Projection: 7th Round