Just read an article predicting this.
Caleb might just be the PERFECT college quarterback and the type of quarterback I have wished USC would pursue and play for decades. A quarterback that can freaking MOVE. Watched guys like this torment USC my whole life.
The NFL? at first I wasn't so sure because he's still so raw. He still needs to learn to throw the ball away, take what the defense gives him , and learn how to slide. First thing he has to do is prove he is coachable.
So who in the NFL is a comparison? NO, it's not Lamar Jackson. He's a freak of nature. He's taller, thicker and way faster.
The closest comparison of a quarterback that actually does all three things in the true RPO requires is Jalen Hurts. Same size, speed, arm talent and unlike some other so called RPO quarterbacks, actually takes off with the football. I think Caleb is more athletic.
Seeing Hurts success this year maybe the article will be proven right. He's certainly better than previous number ones like Baker Mayfield. Still not sure the illegal man downfield RPO offense will last in the NFL, is it a fad? only time will tell. Quarterbacks that run with the ball haven't stood the test of time with NFL's fast violent defenses. Ask Michael Vick.
So Caleb and the draft? Timing in life is most of it.
sc
Also ask Robert Griffin III about injuries. World Class Speed. Amazing Arm. Heisman Trophy. Ran too much for a very bad NFL team.. Paid the price.
To me the guy he most closely resembles in the qb we saw last night. ward. Hurts will take it downfield. And hurts likes football. Caleb doesn’t. His dad does.
caleb doesn’t read defenses well and relies on daddy on the sidelines to do his pre snap reads. I don’t think you can do that in the nfl.
I think once the play starts he doesn’t read very well down field.
I think he delivers the ball well. Not a lot of touch on his passes. And probably can’t throw a timing pattern. Maybe they don’t do that anymore.
he’s a strong arm. Downfield passer. And gets loose. I don’t think his self apppinted leadership Schtick plays well in the league.
inalso realize we are projecting and I’m commenting on what I see NOW. I need to see better downfield decisions. More runs downfield. Better decisions dumping the ball early. Less running out of bounds 8 yards behind the LOS.
oh and to balance the negative. He doesn’t throw the ball into tight windows. That might actually be a problem because in the nfl they’re all tight windows. But he doesn’t turn the ball over via fumbles or Int so he is far ahead of where Sam was. in the NFL avoiding TO is job 1. And he does that.
so if you’re looking at development he can certainly improve those areas and clearly he doesn’t turn ball over and has a great arm and mobility. Those are a lot of great tools to work with
Baker was trending up until he got hurt, and then had a moron head coach.
Baker gets a bad rap, he’s far better than most think.
2024 is eons away. Stupid to pontificate that far out on draft picks