The 2023 class clearly has arm talent in the offering, and a few are ready to step in and start Day One. Even though there are 4-5 in a tier above all other QBs this draft, the top passing prospect comes down to what traits a freanchise desires at the position. Beauty is surely in the eye of the beholder once again this year and there are sure to be a QB or two selected early that will get folks talking. There is a QB that has received modest hype at most, who may actually end up being the best of this lot in a couple of years. But, overall… ROLL THE DICE!

Stroud put on a passing clinic at the Combine which stamped an exclamation point on his outstanding 2 years as a starting QB for Ohio State. The Buckeye QB amassed 85 scoring strikes over the last 2 seasons of 25 combined games. In that span the 6’3"-213 QB was picked off just 12 times. He impressively hit on over 69% of his throws in those 25 games while averaging 9.8 YPA, meaning this was not a dink-n-dunk passing offense.Works primarily from shotgun, Stroud already displays efficient pro-ready footwork in quickly setting up and establishing his platform. Adjusts feet quick and purposeful as he goes through progressions. Ball carriage is average but in no way hinders or slows the hair-trigger release. Stroud throws a compact release with ease but plenty of juice. The ball zips off his hand. He makes every pro throw required, across all levels and fields. Delivers the ball in great position for his receivers to turn up the YAC immediately after catch. What differentiates Stroud from past Ohio State QBs (Justin Fields excluded) is his keen ability to be patient as routes develop, make excellent target decisions and throw the ball with the correct velocity, arc and/or touch. Stroud navigates the pocket alertly and with good mobility. He will get out of the pocket but is always seeking to acquire a target before turning it upfield in a last choice option. He can run well enough but gaining yards with his legs is not his thing; this is a high-level pocket passer with size, QB vision, a powerful but laser-accurate arm and a sharp understanding of the position. Many were abuzz about his almost perfect Combine performance, but his game performances are the real story, the story of a star QB in -the-making.

CJ Stroud is top-pick-of-the-draft worthy. He owns every QB trait a QB-needy NFL franchise desires. Stroud can start and do quite well as a rookie, which will most likely be his fate as pick 1 or 2 in the 2023 draft. He takes care of the football but is aggressive attacking a defense as well; there’s no dink-n-dunking with CJ Stroud. Most likely the #1 pick and heading to Carolina, CJ Stroud will have some early struggles but will also flash more often than not. It won’t take long for Stroud to start racking up true star-quality numbers in the NFL. Some ding Stroud’s potential at the next level because he was surrounded by incredible talent at Ohio State, including some of the best and most dynamic receivers in all of college football. This is true, but one should thrive with that talent and CJ Stroud most certainly to thrive!

Levis was a reserve QB at Penn State for 2 years before transferring to Kentucky for the final 2 college campaigns. He brings all the passing tools a pro QB needs to succeed, including a sturdy 6’4"-229 frame. He owns huge football-gripping mitts, 10 5/8". Levis needs to be coached up to find consistency and his 2-year game tape shows spectacular plays mixed in with baffling fails. IN his 2-years as a starting QB for Kentucky Levisproduced 43 TDs passes to 24 INTs. His best season of yards passing was just 2826 (2021) and last season Levis managed just 2406 yards. 2 things football folks must consider is the style of offense and the talent Levis worked with. His 2-season average of passes attempted is 26.5 per game, extremely low and conservative for today’s high-speed collegiate offenses. He completed 65.7% and averaged 8.3 YPA. Levis works from shotgun, sets his platform quickly and in good throwing position. He shows patience in the pocket but is notadverse to taking off if things are breaking down. Levis does fail at times to recognize his open progressions and will force a throw into poor quality windows. Ball security needs work. Though his flaws are clearly on the surface for all to see, Levisalso presents shining pro-level passing tools and abilities. Delivers a jet-fueled throw and often in fine position for his receivers to gain YAC. Levis will tend to lock in on his target, which led to a good share of his INTs. He has full confidence in his arm and his ability to lead, plays with an energetic poise most times but can get a bit helter-skelter when forced to go off-script. Ball comes out at ¾-high release point, with velocity. Levis throws with a natural QB flow and operation. He has underrated rushing chops as well. The Kentucky QB did not run the 40 at the Combine but did post a 10’4" broad jump, 2^nd only to physical beast QB Anthony Richardson’s 10’9". Levis is a fearless runner of the rock when he’s out of the pocket, shows fast game wheels and will take on tacklers with a lowered shoulder. Will Levis is a starting NFL QB with a few flaws that can be coached up and out of his game. He is a field leader with a power-arm and moxie.

Some NFL club is going to get a bit of a project when that franchise selects Will Levis, but the investment will pay off in big dividends sooner than later. Levis is a big, strong and skilled QB who can make every throw in the book at the pro level. He’d benefit greatly by sitting behind a veteran in his rookie season, but may not have that luxury if selected by a QB-needy pro team. Levismight be ready to produce in the same manner as Mac Jones did in New England as a rookie (22 TDs, 13 INTs) but his best football is just ahead, and the results will be spectacular at times once Will Levis is up-to-speed and gains valuable game experience.

Bryce Young comes to the NFL with great accomplishments as a Crimson Tide passer, firing 79 TDs against just 12 INTs in his 2 years taking over for Mac Jones (Patriots’ QB). That is 79 TD throws against top level collegiate defenses in just 27 games over last 2 seasons. Size is a minor concern as Young is listed at just 5’10"-204, but real game results versus real tough defenses tell the story. For some his 5’10 frame and artificial 204 (he bulked up specifically for the Combine but will most likely play at his natural 195) dimensions are a bigger obstacle and it would not be shocking if slides to the 3^rd QB taken this draft. Make no mistake, however, Young is #1 overall deserving. He’s naturally compared to Russell Wilson and Kyler Murray because of his height limitations but excellent mobility traits and fine arm talent. However, Young may already be a better professional version of Murray right now as a rookie. Bryce Young isn’t the dynamic joy-stick exciting runner that the Cardinals’ QB is, but he has shown quite capable of escaping pressure, sliding up or out of the pocket, tucking the ball and picking up chunky ground gainers with speed and creativity. Bryce Young has complete control of his game out there. He is poised and patient, has proven able to go through progressions and make the right decision regularly. He works shotgun or under center, hits his drop-backs quick and ready to throw. Has a compact (of course as most shorter QBs do) release that is quick and with plenty of gas. Feet are often bouncy in the pocket but it is mostly a timing mechanism that allows him to reschedule his platform seamlessly. He is a master navigator in the pocket, stepping up in time and when on the move Young remains eyes forward looking for the open receiver. Terrific ball placement and Young has uncanny anticipation, not needing to see ‘numbers’ to let the ball go. Had Bryce Young been 3-4" taller there’d be zero arguments about being the clear cut #1 QB in this draft.

Bryce Young is as pro ready as any QB coming into the NFL in years. His size may not scream pro-ready, but Young is the most complete passer and field leader/manager of the 2023 group. He should start for any team drafting him, and if provided ample WR weaponry, Young will deliver best rookie passing results of the class of ’23.

Hendon Hooker didn’t workout at the Combine but he did show up for the weigh-in festivities. Hooker taped at 6’3" and scaled 217. Big hands at 10 ½". Hooker sustained an ACL injury mid-November and while he got uplifting medical reports at the Combine in Indianapolis last week Hooker isn’t likely to do much at Tennessee’s Pro Day. That is a terrific move by the young but veteran QB as pro franchises then only rely on his game tape, and it is outstanding game tape at that! Hooker is a 25-year-old 5th-year senior who played 3 seasons at Virginia Tech before transferring to Tennessee. He took over as the starter for Tennessee in Week 3 of the 2021 season and in 2 seasons (22 starts) for the Volunteers, Hooker fired up 6080 passing yards, 58 passing TDs, and just five picks. He also rushed for 1046 yards and 10 ground scores. Hooker is a lethal deep thrower who has a strong yet accurate arm. The Tennessee offense was geared for an relentless and aggressive vertical attack and Hooker thrived in that scheme. Looking for WOW factors? Last year for the Vols Hooker fired 27 TDs and just 2… TWO… INTs. In that wide-open, beyond the sticks air attack! He hit on 69.6% of his 329 passes… in that vertical-heavy air show! He is a shotgun QB who set a passing base with urgency. In the pocket Hooker’s confidence is displayed with quiet feet, patience to allow routes to go full-bloom and deliver the ball with velocity. Nice, tight spin on the ball, too. About the only dings in his throwing mechanics is a slight lock-n-load to release, but the whip is compact and sudden. The other area he seems to struggle with is making his out thorws to the right. The ball often sails or it’s off-low. AS exciting as his bombs-away arm talents are, Hooker’s rushing ability is nothing to be ignored. He can motor. Hooker scrambles and rushed the same as he passes, aggressive and getting all he can get. HE shows outstanding straight-away wheels and some creativity to make ‘em miss at full speed. The 2 biggest questions that must be answered, and the reasons why Hooker isn’t listed as a blue chip prospect, is can he consistently make the short-to-mid-range in and out route throws accurately and in good placement? How does Hooker return physically as well as emotionally from his November ACL injury and subsequent surgery? Sans that ACL misfortune, Hendon Hooker is near the top of the 2023 QB draft class, without question.

So far the reports are positive regarding Hendon Hooker’s recovery and timeline for return form his ACL surgery. At this point he is 3 months out from surgery and appears to be trending to be ready for the 2023 regular season opener. OTAs and camp? TBD. Hooker has everything that today’s offensive coaches want and need in the move offenses of the NFL; size, athleticism, confidence, power arm, fearless passing approach and accurate. Barring unforeseen setbacks from surgery and recovery, some NFL team is set to strike gold the moment they run Hendon Hooker’s draft card up to the podium.

Just because a QB sets the Combine on fire with record shattering physical drill performances and imposing physical dimensions doesn’t elevate that QB to a blue-chipper. Anthony Richardson IS the most physically imposing and athletic QB of the 2023 draft. Richardson has just 13 starts as a college QB and it may well be the prized rookie of whatever club drafts him will have the Gator fire thrower sit and watch how it’s done for a year. AT the Combine Richardson wowed with his 6’4-244 frame and 10 ½" hands. Adding to the WOW factor was his 4.43-forty dash and 40.5" vertical. His passing drills were a mixed-bag of impressive power throws and misguided missiles. AS big as the Florida QB is he negates some of the height advantage with a low ¾ delivery. Adding to the glitches in his mechanics are noisy footwork, unsettled platform and a noticeable lock-n-load throwing operation. He will impress one throw with a laser guided rocket right on target followed by another rocket with a broken guidance system. Key is all his throws are rockets as Richardson lacks command of varying velocity. His passes beyond the short area zones are with flat trajectories and often sailing through harm’s way. Last year for Florida Richardson completed just 53.8% of his 327 passes. His YPA of 7.8 (soft in college standards) is indicative of the arm power not translating into consistent big completions. Richardson hit just 17 TD tosses in 12 starts but was picked 9 times. The Gator passer does not handle the blitz or heavy pressure well, making poor decisions and/or struggling to complete his passes under duress. Anthony Richardson raised his draft value at the Combine based on his physical and athletic traits, not on his passing or an abundance of outstanding game film. This is a project pick for an NFL team, but he may be a year or 2 before being ready to go as a pro.

Big, powerful, fast and able to throw the football throw a brick wall… that’s Anthony Richardson. Problem is he may miss that brick wall far more often than his coaches would like. Some are comparing Richardson to Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen, and physically that is darn accurate but Allen hit the NFL as a rookie with more than double the number of college starts of Richardson. IN a couple of years Richardson may be doing Josh Allen type things, but his first season or 2 in the NFL are best spent watching and learning from the sidelines.

Clayton Tune brings a balanced, strong QB frame with a thick lower body but athletic, proportioned build. Confidence gushes from this high-level competitor. Tune works shotgun and under center, is poised in the pocket, navigates well and is surprisingly athletic escaping the rush. He is not shy about tucking the ball and taking off and should be quite capable of becoming a fine RPO engineer. Tune is a nifty runner with lateral avoidance skills and surprising sneaky long speed. However, he is passer-first when on the run. Game tape shows him to be a quick decision-maker. He makes all the throws with zip and accuracy but displays a slight rack-load-fire in his delivery. Regardless, the ball comes off his hand live. Tune plays with a gunslinger approach and is unafraid to take his shots. He does have the tendency to stare down some targets. The Houston QB raises his game in clutch situations and he is tough, playing through injury.2022 game film is outstanding and his Combine work was quietly impressive as well. Not much is being mentioned about this talented passer who showed his worth as an athlete at the Combine, running a solid 4.64-forty. His 37.5" vertical was 2^nd only to Anthony Richardson (40.5") and Tune’s 10’2" broad jump was not shabby either.Big, sturdy, very mobile, confident, accurate with a strong arm and a field leader to boot; this is a star quality talent entering the 2023 draft.

Clayton Tune isn’t hyped up as a top-5 QB prospect entering the 2023 draft, but watch his film; he is worthy of top-5 honors. Tune is what today’s pro QB is all about. Dare I say there a lot of Andrew Luck in his game and matter-of-fact he looks a lot like Luck out there. Tune comes to the NFL with great experience, 47 college games under his belt. 2 of his biggest performances last season for Houston were the 77-63 loss to SMU (53 passes, 67.9% complete, 527 yards passing, 7 TDs and 3 INTs; 12 rushes, 111 yards and a 55-yards TD dash). Versus Memphis, down 32-19 with 4:04 left to play, Tune rallied his team to a 33-32 last seconds victory, playing with ice in his veins, rushing for a couple of key first downs while playing with a bad hamstring. Tune has his mechanical flaws and some bad habits in his reads, but nothing that will not be coached out of his system as a pro. Clayton Tune is a star-level NFL QB talent that may rate among the best of this draft class when all is said and done.

There was a time when BYU produced QBs who weren’t blessed with outstanding physical gifts but killed the opposition with a cerebral, efficient and systematic style of football. Somewhere along the line the Cougars QBs turned into gifted physical athletes who can run, dodge, scamper, and throw a football throw a wall, but lacked the nuanced QB play of BYU passers from years ago. Jaren Hall fits the BYU QB of today to a T. Hall checked in at the Combine at an even 6’ and weighed 207, which obviously sets him in the ‘small’ QB category. Also,small and famously a concern for QB evaluators is Hall’s 9 ½" hands. He did not perform and of the drills but did throw. His performance was mixed, not bad but nothing that grabbed extra attention from the NFL folks at the Combine. On the real field Hall is a real QB, though. He is tough, mobile, has zip on this passes and shows some ability to go through progressions… at times. There are other times when Hall is jittery, unsettled and rushes a play. The BYU QB is an energetic athlete who does get into his pass platform quickly but will get a bit bouncy in the pocket. Lack of prototypical QB height and arm length results in a fair share of passes being batted down. Hall will scan his progressions and make good decision more often than not. Last season he was productive as a passer while protecting the football, completing 66% of his 376 throws, 31 for TDs and just 6 INTs. He also rushed for 350 yards on 86 carries and scored 3 times. In his 2 seasons as a BYU starter Hall experienced 22 games and produced an outstanding 52 TD passes to just 11 picks.He possesses pro-level QB tools, but that size factor is something he and NFL draft room personnel will contend with through the process. Jaren Hall is clearly draftable and should hear his name in the later round on Day 3, but he is a project for sure.

Jaren Hall is slightly bigger than Alabama’s Bryce Young, has many of the same physical attributes as Young but is not the accomplished, QB Young is. AS an athlete who can play the QB position and work into RPO schemes with ease, Jaren Hall is sure to get looks around the NFL. He needs to be outstanding and have a lot of luck in the right place at the right time to see live game action as a pro in 2023 and probably into 2024.

Dorian Thompson-Robinson hit the Combine at 6’2-203, which is taller than he listed officially at UCLA. HE is an outstanding athlete with an underrated power arm, high energy and a winner’s attitude. He is also one of the most experienced QBs in this draft, a 5^th-year senior. IN his Combine drills Thompson-Robinson showcased his wheels, racing the forty dash in 4.56 seconds, breaking the 10-yard split in 1.51 seconds. He was average with 32.5" vertical and 10’ 1’’ broad jump, but owns good hand size; 9 7/8’’. Playing for creative and aggressive head coach Chip Kelly, Thompson-Robinson grew in confidence each season and his on-field performance progressed and improved sharply last season. He now runs through his progressions more efficiently, throws the ball with more nuance instead of fast-balling everything and makes better decisions. Thompson-Robinson’s mechanics have also experienced marked improvement and a consistent tight spiral zips off the UCLA QB’s hand. Thompson-Robinson is tough to corner in the pocket as he darts and dashes expertly and with speed to avoid pass rushers. Thompson-Robinson has the ability tobubble to the edges and make throws from various release points on the move. He gets creative once on the move and though he becomes a dangerous, shifty runner down field, the Bruin QB now looks to pass-first before being forced to tuck it and go. With a clean pocket and all systems operating well, Thompson-Robinson has proven to be a fine timing QB who can be darn consistent working on schedule. He will tend to lock in on a receiver too early and fail to recognize DBs or LBs sitting on a route or closing in from an off-angle. He has the arm to hit all field and depths, but does lack accuracy deep. Powered up a 62MPH ball velocity measure, best in this draft class and among the hardest throwers since the radar was added. IN 2022 Thompson-Robinson connected for an outstanding 69.6% of 382 passes for 3169 yards (8.3 YPA), 27 TDs and 10 INTs. He also took off and gained 645 yards rushing (5.5 YPC) and 12 TDs. He offered to run drills at other positions for NFL coaches to show he’s versatile and willing to play other positions, but NFL people were far more interested in him as strictly QB. Dorian Thompson-Robinson is severely overlooked; this is a fine QB with his best football just ahead. He needs to be in the right location with good coaching and a chance to sit, watch and learn.

One thing you cannot knock and that is practical game experience and Dorian Thompson-Robinson certainly has that. He saw action in 49 games for UCLA, played under a successful head coach who has had winning ways both in college and the NFL and improved each year. In 2022 Thompson-Robinson was a far more composed, confident and accomplished QB both as a passer and a field manager. Just a comparison for perspective between Thompson-Robinson and Anthony Richardson and being pass-game ready as a pro. Richardson has a grand total of 12 starts in his 3 years of college ball and last season, his only as a starter, he ‘led’ his Gators to a 6-6 record in his 12 startsand threw just 17 TDs against 9 INTs and completed just 53.9%. Thompson-Robinson started 47 over 5 years at UCLA, and in 2022 he fired 27 TDs, got picked 10 times and connected on 69.6% while rolling to a 9-4 record. The numbers match the real on-field readiness for the next level. Does this mean Thompson-Robinson will have a better NFL career than Richardson? At worst, even money on that bet, and that’s surely a shocker to most ‘experts.’

Holton Ahlers is a big, strong and athletic southpaw passer out of East Carolina.Talk about having practical game experience under you belt? Ahlersis a 5^th-year senior with 55 college games played, 49 of those as starter. He is 23 years old, goes about 6’3-235. Ahlers was named to the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl American Team. During the game he went nine of twelve for 189 yards and a touchdown and won MVP honors. HE was also invited to the 2023 Hula Bowl where again he took home MVP honors. The guy is a battler and last year turned the corner and became a rather prolific passer as well. Despite the outstanding post-season play and accolades, his outstanding college career numbers, impressive size and athletic chops the ECU QB has barely had his name mentioned in 2023 draft projections for QB. Ahlersis poised in the pocket, quick to hit his progressions and deliver. He is big, tough and quite mobile, and is not shy about taking off out of the pocket as a runner. He navigates the pocket with awareness. Once flushed Ahlerskeeps his eyes downfield and seeking the open receiver until the last second. The lefty has a short, compact delivery with a low ¾ release point. The ball comes off his hand with good zip and that compact delivery makes it difficult for pass rushers to knock down. Ahlers has that gunslinger gene and has and uncanny ability to see open passing windows where none seem to be had. Watching game film of 2022 action, you often come away on certain passes marveling at how he saw that window and then how did he get the ball in there? He can make the pro throws, has ample arm strength to go 50-yards deep but many of his passes are flat and lack ‘air’, notably beyond 20 yards. Last season was Ahlers’ best, hitting 67.2% of his 469 throws, 3708 yards (7.9 YPA), 28 TD passes and just 5 INTs. The Pirates QB also ran the rock 72 times, gained just 2.5 YPC but scored 6 times. Holton Ahlers may not be getting any hype for the 2023 draft, but he has the size, experience, work ethic, athletic ability, poise and QB nuance to make an NFL squad, drafted or not.

Some who scout Holton Ahlers compare him to Florida’s legendary lefty Tim Tebow. Being a southpaw, big, athletic and delivering the ball with a bit of an unorthodox style all fit that comp. Then there are others who project his chances to make it in the pros is in a Taysom Hill type role, a Swiss Army knife offensive weapon. Ahlers isn’t on the same level of athlete that the Saints’ Hill is, so that’s not going to happen. Holton Ahlers is a QB, period, and a good one. East Carolina QBs typically don’t draw much NFL scouting attention, and it remains to be seen what the interest is in Ahlers come end of March during Pro Day’s attendance. However, Ahlers has already had 3 visits with the Packers, so while his name is not being broadcast by the draft talking heads, pro personnel people are quietly noticing.

Chase Brice isn’t viewed as a top-10 QB prospect in this 2023 draft class but he has numerous positives that match up or over-match those rated over him in most draft expert rankings. To start, Brice has true NFL QB size at 6’2-235. He’s understatedly athletic, poised, experienced and brings a pretty full QB toolbox. Brice’s 5-years of college football span across 3 schools, a backup at Clemson (2 years), a forgettable single campaign as starting QB for Duke and then a starring role at Appalachian State in his final 2 years. He started out with Clemson as Trevor Lawrence’s back up but likely saved the national championship campaign, coming off the bench to lead a 27-23 come-from-behind victory against Syracuse and preserve Clemson’s perfect 15-0 season. He moved on to Duke in 2020, went 2-9, completed under 55, 10 TDs and INTs. With App State Brice started 26 games, hit on 62% 0f his throws with 54 TDs and 17 picks. He strung together a 16-10 record in his last 2 years. Brice gets the ball out with confidence and on time. He has a high ¾ release and the mechanics are crisp and compact. He is a fine timing QB with enough arm to make all pro throws. Navigates the pocket smartly and shows underrated footwork and rushing ability when called for. He’s appeared in 60 total college games, 37 as a starter his last 3 years. Brice plays with moxie, sees the field well and makes quick but thorough reads. He is a commander on the field and NFL coaches will cherish that steadiness and command in the huddle. Chase Brice is likely to go undrafted but will be a priority signing if he passes through 7 rounds.

Stetson Bennett, Jake Haener, Tanner McKee, Max Duggan, Malik Cunningham… just some names of 2023 draft QBs popularly rated above Chase Brice. Yet Brice compares at worst equally with all of these and in various areas, physical or performance, the Appalachia State QB is just better. The NFL is chocked full of Chase Brice types… most are solid reserves and a few start for NFL squads. Brice, in the right pro environment may very well out play all of these good-not-great college QBs. Chad Henne, Chase Daniels, Colt McCoy or Brock Purdy… Brice might be one of those. He may be even better in a Garner Minshew, Nick Foles, Mitchell Trubisky, Andy Dalton sort of way too. Location, location, location.

End.