Scouting the pro prospects: Quarterbacks

Much like last year with Southern California's Matt Leinart, Notre Dame's Brady Quinn enters the 2006 season entrenched as the top senior quarterback in the country. Some scouts are touting him as the early favorite to be the top overall draft pick in '07.

What follows after him, however, is a hodge-podge of arm strength, production, pedigree and inconsistency. While not all of the quarterbacks listed below will be highly rated NFL prospects, the position is as deep and talented as ever.

More offenses are returning to the athletic quarterback capable of beating teams with his arm or legs. Texas certainly achieved the ultimate goal in winning a national championship with just such a player in Vince Young. Ohio State senior Troy Smith will now carry the torch for multi-dimensional signal callers, with numerous underclassmen waiting in the wings.

When Brady Quinn reaches the NFL in '07, he will benefit from two years under Charlie Weis. (Getty Images)

Choose your flavor of styles, and you will likely find a handful of intriguing quarterbacks to follow in 2006.

1. Brady Quinn, Notre Dame
6-4, 230 pounds, Sr.

Quinn was already considered one of the nation's more gifted quarterbacks before coach Charlie Weis was hired in 2005 to resurrect Notre Dame's proud tradition. The combination of Weis' tutelage and Quinn's natural talents made for a good fit from the start.

In 12 starts in '04, Quinn threw for 2,586 yards and a respectable 17-10 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Last year, Quinn was arguably the best quarterback in the country, passing for 3,919 yards and 32 touchdowns compared to only seven interceptions.

Quinn has the classic blend of size, arm strength and tenacity pro scouts are looking for in a franchise quarterback. His ability to adapt so quickly to Weis' complicated offensive scheme speaks volumes about his work ethic and understanding of the game. Quinn enters this season not only as the top-ranked quarterback in the country, but the odds-on favorite to be the first player selected in the 2007 NFL Draft.

2. Drew Stanton, Michigan State, 6-3, 222, Sr.

Drew Stanton (Getty Images)

Ohio State's Troy Smith and Michigan's Chad Henne will earn the bulk of the Big Ten headlines, but pro scouts are more intrigued by Stanton, who emerged on the scene two years ago when he was named team MVP despite starting only seven games. He ranked among the Big Ten leaders that season in total offense (third, 228.8 yards per game), passing efficiency (third, 131.8 rating), rushing (eighth, 68.7 ypg.) and passing (10th, 160.1 ypg.).

In 2005, Stanton showed great improvement. His passing numbers swelled to 3,077 yards and a respectable 22-12 TD-to-INT ratio. Stanton's rushing numbers dropped to 338 yards and four touchdowns, down from 687 and five in 2004, but that was due more to coach John L. Smith's hesitancy to place Stanton in the way of big hits.

Stanton toyed with the idea of leaving school after his junior season. He certainly has shown the NFL combination of size, athleticism, toughness and arm strength. Scouts would like to see him develop a little more consistency to his game. A likely second-round pick had he entered the '06 draft, Stanton could elevate his stock to the high first round with a little refining this season.

3. Brian Brohm, Louisville, 6-4, 224, Jr.

Cards' Brian Brohm (Getty Images)

Louisville has produced some great quarterbacks in recent years, including NFL draft picks Chris Redman (2000), Dave Ragone ('03) and Stefan Lefors ('05). Brohm appears poised to continue that spectacular run at quarterback.

All he did in his first season as the starter was finish third in the country in passing efficiency (166.7), complete 68.7 percent of his passes and throw for 19 touchdowns with just five interceptions. Only a sophomore, Brohm was recognized as the Big East's Offensive Player of the Year.

As impressive as Brohm's numbers were, they were completed in two fewer games than hoped after he was lost for the season with a torn ACL. Brohm is ahead of schedule in his recovery, although he was wearing a brace as fall practices got under way.

Brohm has the tools and the system to vault toward the top of the quarterback totem poll if he can return to near full strength in time for the start of the '06 season.

4. Troy Smith, Ohio State, 6-1, 205, Sr.

Troy Smith, OSU (Getty Images)

When healthy, there might not be a more dangerous quarterback in the country.

Entering the 2005 season, Smith had only started six games and teams were considerably more worried about his running ability than his passing. But with each touchdown throw in '05, Smith's confidence -- and opponents' respect for his arm -- soared. The versatile athlete accounted for 27 total touchdowns last season, with 16 coming through the air and 11 on the ground.

What separates Smith from many other athletic quarterbacks across the country are his leadership skills. The Buckeyes are certainly one of the nation's more talented teams, but with Smith on the field they seem like a more cohesive, focused unit. Smith is already 13-2 as a starter and appears poised to have another strong effort in '06.

5. Jordan Palmer, Texas-El Paso, 6-5, 232, Sr.

Jordan Palmer, UTEP (AP)

The younger brother of former No. 1 overall pick Carson Palmer, Jordan has the prototypical size, arm strength and coaching that pro teams seek.

In 18 starts over his first two seasons, Palmer passed for 3,986 yards and 33 touchdowns. He nearly matched his previous two years' numbers in 2005, passing for 3,503 yards and 29 scores for the Miners, who finished 8-4 and were ranked in the Top 25 at various points.

Unfortunately for Palmer, the interception problem that haunted him in '03 (13) and '04 (18) again was an eye-sore last season (19). After establishing himself early, Palmer struggled down the stretch, turning the ball over 10 times in UTEP's final three games, all losses. Palmer also has to bounce back from a fractured ankle and torn ligament suffered in the GMAC Bowl.

6. JaMarcus Russell, LSU, 6-5, 252, Jr.

JaMarcus Russell (Getty Images)

For those unfortunate enough to have missed Daunte Culpepper while he played at Central Florida, Russell is about as close a replica as you'll likely get. Blessed with similar size, Russell also is comparable to Culpepper in terms of arm strength, leadership ability and flair for the dramatic.

As a redshirt freshman playing for current NFL coach Nick Saban, Russell started four games, passing for 1,053 yards and an impressive 9-4 TD-to-INT ratio. Russell improved this past season, throwing for 2,435 yards and 16 touchdowns. However, his consistency lagged as the season progressed and when fellow underclassman Matt Flynn took over for an injured Russell and led LSU to a 40-3 victory over Miami in the Peach Bowl, a quarterback controversy developed.

Russell is not only battling Flynn, but also sophomore Ryan Perrilloux, who signed with the Tigers as the elite prep quarterback in the country. At this point, Russell is the most intriguing due to his incredible physical potential.

Russell has struggled with durability in the past and missed the spring while recovering from shoulder and wrist injuries. He's healthy now and the coaching staff said in early August that Russell will get the first crack at the starting job.

7. Chad Henne, Michigan, 6-2, 225, Jr.

Chad Henne, Mich. (Getty Images)

Entering his third year as the starter, Henne could be ready for a breakout season.

He burst onto the scene as a true freshman, starting all 12 games and posting spectacular numbers (2,743 yards, 25-12 TD-to-INT ratio). Henne produced similar stats in '05 (2,526 yards, 23-8 ratio), but his overall play wasn't as consistent after losing wideout Braylon Edwards and lineman David Baas to the NFL. Injuries to star runner Mike Hart also hampered the offense.

Henne lacks prototype size, but has the arm strength, accuracy and, above all else, toughness to elevate the Maize and Blue back among the elite of the Big Ten. Those who question Henne's ability to step up under pressure should note his seven touchdown passes in two bowl games.

8. Kevin Kolb, Houston, 6-3, 224, Sr.

Kevin Kolb, Hou. (Getty Images)

Astute fans have known about Kolb since his sparkling debut season in which he led all NCAA freshmen in completions (220), attempts (360), passing yards (3,131), touchdowns (25) and, most important, wins (seven).

The excitement generated by Kolb's play is eerily similar to that which pervaded the Houston campus during the David Klinger and Andre Ware years. Over 36 consecutive starts, Kolb -- pronounced "Cobb" -- has passed for 9,155 yards and a 55-27 TD-to-INT ratio. Though he is more recognized as a passer, Kolb is also dangerous with his feet, rushing for 597 yards and 19 scores over his career.

Fans looking for one of the top-ranked prospects at the position would be wise to watch Kolb. Scouts are impressed with Kolb's combination of size, athleticism, durability and short- to medium-range accuracy. He is accustomed to passing on the move, something that teams using the West Coast offense like in their young developmental passers.

9. Chris Leak, Florida, 6-0, 210, Sr.

Chris Leak, Florida (Getty Images)

Though he lacks the size and arm strength NFL teams are ideally looking for, Leak is considered an accurate quarterback whose decision-making and ability to read defenses have led to a great deal of success in the SEC.

Based on the previous success achieved by Leak and coach Urban Meyer, many expected the two to instantly click and produce dominant numbers last season. While Leak's 2005 production wasn't bad (2,639 yards, 20 TDs, six INTs), one wouldn't know it from the negative press he and Meyer received.

Another year of learning Meyer's complicated offense could be all it takes for Leak to respond with a monster senior season. Leak will have to play well, as freshman Tim Tebow is already being touted as a future star.

10. Trent Edwards, Stanford, 6-4, 210, Sr.

Trent Edwards (Getty Images)

Though Stanford's 13-20 overall record over the past three seasons has kept the team's national exposure to a minimum, Edwards' combination of size, smarts and experience certainly have NFL scouting departments taking note.

Edwards has 24 starts over the past three years and posted his best numbers in 2005, starting all 11 games and throwing for 1,934 yards and 17 touchdowns against only seven interceptions. He was voted team MVP after the season.

Although Stanford lacks great weapons in support, many feel Edwards is on the verge of a breakout season. Coach Walt Harris is a noted offensive mind and calls the plays himself. He has previously coaxed spectacular seasons from relatively average quarterbacks and should have a positive impact on Edwards in their second season together.

With 153 rushing yards in '05, Edwards is more athletic than he is generally given credit for. He doesn't have the strongest arm, but he shows the accuracy, poise and size the NFL is looking for.

Others to watch

Kyle Wright, Miami (Getty Images)

Kyle Wright, Miami, 6-4, 220, Jr.: Despite play-to-play inconsistencies that need ironing out, Wright's 2005 numbers are an indication of his talent. Despite last season being Wright's first as the starter, his 18 touchdowns were tops among ACC quarterbacks and his 132.77 passing efficiency ranked second. He signed with Miami as the country's top prep quarterback, and Hurricane coaches are particularly impressed with his strong arm, prototype size, surprising mobility and leadership.

John David Booty (Getty Images)

John David Booty, USC, 6-3, 198, Jr.: Though he saw only limited mop-up duty backing up Matt Leinart, Booty has shown enough of an arm to pique the interest of the NFL. He also has interesting bloodlines, as his brother, Josh, played for LSU and later for the Cleveland Browns. Booty enters the 2006 season as the likely starter -- he'll compete with redshirt freshman Mark Sanchez -- but previous durability issues, including a herniated disk that required surgery and kept him out of spring workouts, pose an obvious concern.

Matt Ryan, B.C. (Getty Images)

Matt Ryan, Boston College, 6-5, 224, Jr.: Listing Ryan here, despite only six starts entering this season, could be viewed by some as premature. But Ryan has shown the size, arm strength and toughness to earn mention. Despite sharing the job with -- and throwing fewer passes than -- Quinton Porter last season, Ryan threw for more yards (1,514) and BC won all five of his starts. He led the Eagles to some of their most stirring victories, including an OT thriller in Clemson, an improbable comeback versus Wake Forest and a bowl win over Boise State on the Broncos' home turf.

Jeff Rowe, Nevada, 6-5, 222, Sr.: Blessed with prototype size, Rowe is a prospect scouts will take a close look at throughout the season. The Wolfpack operate in a modified shotgun offense, dinking and dunking their way down the field. This offense, nicknamed "The Pistol," has helped Rowe post impressive statistics: 5,558 yards and a 36-22 TD-to-INT ratio over the past two seasons. How much of the production is due to the scheme and how much is due to Rowe's ability is what scouts will try to ascertain. Rowe has the short- to mid-range accuracy and poise in the pocket to make a big move up the charts.

Colt Brennan, Hawaii, 6-3, 195, Jr.: It remains to be seen if Brennan will prove to be a better NFL prospect than former Hawaii QB Timmy Chang, but, like Chang, Brennan should certainly post the numbers worthy of scouts' attention. Originally signing with Colorado, Brennan elected to transfer first to Saddleback (Calif.) Community College and then to Hawaii. In his first season as the starter, Brennan led the NCAA in passing yards (4,301) and touchdown passes (35) and is thought to have more natural skills than Chang, the only quarterback in NCAA history to throw for more than 17,000 yards. Certainly Hawaii's wide-open passing attack inflates the statistics, but with former NFL head coaches June Jones and Jerry Glanville operating the offense and defense, Warrior players are receiving high-quality coaching.

Zac Taylor, Nebraska, 6-2, 212, Sr.: Gutty passer with the short- to medium-range accuracy and athletic ability to potentially surprise at the next level. Taylor originally signed with Wake Forest out of high school, then transferred to Butler Community College before signing with Nebraska. Taylor lacks the prototype size for the position, but has more than enough toughness and athleticism. In his first season with Nebraska, he took over the starting position and threw for a school-record 2,653 yards while tossing 19 touchdowns against 12 interceptions. His progression in his second season of Bill Callahan's version of the West Coast offense will be key to Taylor's final draft standing.

Matt Gutierrez, Idaho State, 6-4, 238, Sr.: Those seeking a diamond in the rough might look here. Originally a highly touted prep prospect who signed with Michigan, Gutierrez was stuck behind Chad Henne and elected to transfer to see some playing time. Gutierrez has rare size for the position and though his playing time at Michigan was limited to mop-up duty, he showed intriguing skills. He has at least an adequate arm and is renowned for his competitiveness and leadership.

Rob Rang is a Senior Analyst for NFLDraftScout.com, distributed by The Sports Xchange.