John Skelton, QB

When Skelton arrived on Fordham's campus as a lanky 6-5, 200-pound freshman, few on the coaching staff anticipated that he would one day re-write most of the school's passing and total offense records. Fewer yet figured that he would emerge as one of the elite quarterbacks in the game. Even heralded Scout.com, one of the top recruiting services in the business, rated him as a one-star prospect and he appeared nowhere on any of the recruiting lists produced by Rivals.com.

Skelton became a starter midway through his freshman season and quietly gone about proving all of his doubters wrong. Even though he did not stand out in recent postseason all-star games, NFL teams have become highly interested in a player with a cannon for a throwing arm, who also put on close to 60 pounds of bulk (played at 258 pounds in 2009) since that first day he put on a Rams uniform.

The two-time team captain wrapped up a record-shattering career for the Rams by setting new marks for most pass completions (802), pass attempts (1,363), yards passing (9,923) and touchdown tosses (69). His aerial yardage output also established a new Patriot League all-time record. He generated 10,486 yards in total offense through 43 games, setting another school record. He shattered Joe Moorhead's career completions record of 518 while also surpassing Kevin Eakin's career marks for passing yards (6,112) and touchdowns (45).

Skelton and his younger brother, Stephen, a junior tight end at Fordham, played at Burges High School, where their father, John, is an assistant coach. He was a multi-sports star, excelling in football, basketball, baseball and track. The first-team All-District I Class-AAAA and All-City selection was named Offensive MVP by the El Paso Times as a senior on the gridiron.

That season, he passed for 2,172 yards and 15 touchdowns. He capped off his prep career as the starting quarterback in the 2006 All-State Game for the city of El Paso. In basketball, Skelton garnered All-City, All-District and All-Region accolades. He earned All-District honors in baseball four times, playing a different position each year. He was also named to the All-City baseball team in 2006.

Skelton played in nine games as a true freshman at Fordham in 2006, starting the final seven contests. He collected 960 yards with six touchdowns and eight interceptions on 74-of-167 passes (44.31 percent), adding another score on 56 carries. He earned All-Patriot League second-team honors as a sophomore, starting all twelve games.

Skelton ranked second in the league with an average of 243.75 yards per game in total offense. His 2,650 aerial yards rank sixth on the school season-record list, as he had 22 touchdowns (tied for fourth on the Fordham annual record chart) on 216-of-383 chances (56.4 percent). He also showed better mobility, rushing for six touchdowns.

Skelton was named team captain for the 2008 campaign. The preseason All-American's production was slightly down from the previous season, but his 2,605 yards passing rank seventh in Rams annals. He completed 228-of-372 throws (61.29 percent), both good for fifth on the school's annual record chart. He threw for 15 touchdowns and saw his interception total drop to seven from the previous season's eleven. He also placed second in the league and 26th nationally with an average of 244.55 yards per game in total offense.

As a senior, Skelton's 284 completions in 441 attempts -- for a pass completion percentage of 64.40 and 3,708 yards -- set Fordham season-records. He broke Kevin Eakin's former school records of 247 completions for 3,072 yards set in 2003 as well as breaking Steve O'Hare's completion percentage record of 63.1 set in 1997. Skelton led the NCAA FCS in passing yards/game (337.09) and was ranked second in total offense (348.18 yards/game), fourth in completions per game (25.82) and total passing yards and tenth in passing efficiency (149.95).

Skelton threw for over 300 yards in eight of 11 games during his final year, including four 400-yard games. He attempted 67 passes in the Holy Cross clash without throwing an interception. That total was one shy of the national record of 68 set by Marshall's Tony Petersen vs. Western Carolina in 1987 (Peterson completed 34). Skelton surpassed his own school record of 420 passing yards in a game while breaking Matt Georgia's 1999 records of 36 completions and 65 attempts.

Accuracy: Accurate enough to give his receiver a chance to make a play after the catch whether on a quick screen, out route, slant, fade or throw down the seam. Leads his man on slants and deep throws. Will aim the ball and feather it in instead of letting it loose.

Arm Strength: Throws 45-50-yard passes with little effort, but he rarely takes full advantage of his arm strength. Ball gets from hash to opposite sideline in a hurry when he steps into the throw. Good trajectory on deep passes, and the ball doesn't hang up. Inconsistent spiral, though the ball still has fair pace when it wobbles.

Setup/Release: Prototypical size and stands tall in the pocket. Waits patiently for routes to develop. Mostly in the shotgun when passing but will go under center on run plays and the occasional play-action. Release speed is not an issue whether in the pocket or on the run. Relies on his arm strength too much; will throw off back foot and into traffic. Throws from different arm angles and usually well-balanced. Could sell the ball fake more in play-action.

Reading Defenses: Knows the second and third progression, and is willing to throw underneath route if deep receiver is covered up. Will pick apart a defense if given time. Looks to the quick screen before checking out deep throw. Will not look off the safety or creeping corner consistently, resulting in interceptions. Trusts his receivers too much, throwing jump balls when unnecessary.

On the Move: Mobile for his size and able to throw accurately on the run in either direction. Squares his shoulders when throwing on the run. Will evade sacks from FCS defenders, but unclear whether he'll do so against better competition. Doesn't always get his eyes downfield when pressured in the pocket but does when outside. Mobility leads him to leave the pocket too quickly at times. Agile enough to get first downs when scrambling or running the read option, but not quick enough to run for more than a few yards and lacks elusiveness in the open field. Lowers his head for a first down if sideline isn't available and can slide if possible. Good size for the sneak.

Intangibles: Two-year captain who leads his offense on and off the field. Quiet with the media but vocal on the field. Has the work ethic and intelligence to become an NFL starter.

Skelton started 41-of-43 games for the Rams, completing 802-of-1,363 passes (58.84%) for 9,923 yards, 69 touchdowns and 36 interceptions, breaking the previous school career-records of 1,009 pass attempts and 518 completions by Joe Moorhead (1992-95), 6,112 yards and 45 touchdowns by Kevin Elkin (2000-03) and placed fourth on that all-time list with his pass completion percentage … His 9,923 aerial yards also topped the previous Patriot League career-record of 9,819 yards by Marko Glavic of Lafayette (2000-03) … Only Glavic (1,459) had more pass attempts in a career among Patriot League quarterbacks … Skelton's 69 touchdowns and 802 pass completions both placed fourth on the league's all-time record chart … Holds the school career-record with 10,486 yards in total offense, breaking the previous Patriot League mark of 10,064 yards by Lafayette's Marko Glavic … His average of 243.86 yards per game in total offense is good for ninth in league annals … Responsible for 83 touchdowns during his career, fourth best on the Patriot League all-time record chart, surpassed by Ryan Vena of Colgate (94, 1996-99), Dominic Randolph of Holy Cross (92, 2006-08) and Tom Ciaccio of Holy Cross (87, 1988-91) … In 2009, Skelton set school season-records with 284 completions (fifth in league history) of 441 passes (ranks seventh on the league season-record chart) for a 64.4 pass completion percentage and 3,708 yards passing (third-best by a Patriot League player), topping the previous marks of 247 completed passes by Kevin Elkin (2003), 426 attempts by Joe Moorhead (1995), 63.1 pass completion percentage by Steve O'Hare (1997) and Elkin's 3,072 yards passing in 2003 … Only Mark Carney (27 in 2001) had more touchdown passes in a season than Skelton's 26 in 2009 (tied for eighth on the league's annual record chart with Tom Kirch-hoff of Lafayette in 1992, Todd Brunner of Lehigh in 1989 and Phil Stambaugh of Lehigh in 1999) … Gained a school season-record 3,828 yards in total offense in 2009, ranking behind Joe Lee of Towson (4,031 in 1999) and Dominic Randolph of Holy Cross (3,917 in 2008) on the league season-record list … Responsible for 31 touchdowns in 2009, tying Tom Ciaccio of Holy Cross (1989), Glenn Kempa of Lehigh (1991) and Chris Brown of Colgate (2003) for fourth on the league annual record chart … Set school game-records with 43 completions of 67 passes for 427 yards passing and 473 yards in total offense vs. Holy Cross in 2009 … In that game, his 67 pass attempts without an interception are one shy of the NCAA game-record of 68 by Tony Petersen of Marshall vs. Western Carolina in 1987 … Added 402 aerial yards vs. Old Dominion, 420 vs. Cornell and 405 vs. Georgetown in 2009, becoming the only player in Fordham and league history to throw for over 400 yards in a game four times in the same season … The only other Rams to ever gain 400 aerial yards in a game are Joe Moorhead (413 vs. Marist in 1995) and Gary Brennan (402 vs. Hofstra in 1991) … His 87-yard pass to Jason Caldwell vs. Rhode Island in 2008 is the fifth-longest completion in school history, while his 98-yarder vs. Cornell in 2009 broke the school record, topping the previous long of 93 yards by Dick Doheny to Jim Maloney vs. Boston College in 1950 … Set a Patriot League playoff game record, as he was responsible for five touchdowns vs. Massachusetts in 2007.

All-American Dream Team selection by The NFL Draft Report … Added College Sporting News National All-Star honors … All-Patriot League first-team choice, adding league Player of the Week recognition vs. Cornell … All-Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) first-team pick … Started all 11 games, leading the NCAA Football Championship Sub-division ranks with 3,708 yards (school season-record and ranked third on the league's annual record chart) and an average of 337.09 yards per game passing … Placed tenth in the nation with a 149.95 pass efficiency rating … Ranked second nationally with an average of 348.0 yards per game in total offense, as his 3,828 total yards set a school season-record and rank third on the league charts … Set school season-records by completing 284-of-441 passes for a pass completion percentage of 64.40 … Had 10 interceptions and his 26 touchdown passes rank second on the school season-record list … Ranked third on the team with 85 carries for 120 yards (1.41 yards per carry) and five touchdowns … Responsible for a school-record 31 touchdowns, the fourth-best season total in league history … Under Skelton's guidance, the Rams finished second in the nation in passing (337.09 yards per game), first in total offense (488.82 ypg) and 30th in scoring (28.55 points per game) … Passed for at least 300 yards in eight contests, including four for more than 400 yards … Sacked 29 times during the season, including four vs. Colgate and a career-high nine vs. Lehigh … Turned the ball over twice on seven fumbles.

Skelton started all eleven games for the Rams, ranking second in the Patriot League and 26th in the nation with an average of 244.55 yards per game in total offense … Finished fourth in the nation with a 129.66 pass efficiency rating … His 228 completions of 372 pass attempts (61.29%) both rank fifth on the school season-record list … His 2,605 aerial yards rank seventh on the Rams annual record chart … Threw for 15 touchdowns and had seven interceptions … Tallied 85 yards with two touchdowns on 58 carries (1.47 ypc) … Was sacked thirteen times during the season, including five vs. Lehigh and three vs. Yale in back-to-back midseason games … Threw for over 200 yards seven times, including one 300-yard effort.

Second-team All-Patriot League selection … Started all 12 games, ranking second in the league with an average of 220.83 yards passing and 243.75 yards in total offense per game … His total offense average placed 21st in the nation, as he compiled a 127.73 pass efficiency rating … Attempted 383 passes (fourth on the school season-record list) and completed 216 (56.40%), totaling 2,650 yards (sixth-best season total in school annals … His 22 touchdown passes tied for fourth on the Rams annual record list and he also threw 11 interceptions … Carried 96 times for 275 yards (2.86 ypc) and six touchdowns, as he was sacked 15 times during his sophomore campaign … Threw for over 200 yards seven times, including a pair of 300-yard performances … Had at least one touchdown pass in 11 games (none vs. Columbia).

Appeared in nine games as a true freshman, starting the final seven contests … Completed 74-of-167 passes (44.31%) for 960 yards, six touchdowns and eight interceptions … Also rushed for 83 yards and one score on 56 carries (1.48 yards per carry) … Generated 1,043 yards in total offense, an average of 115.89 yards per game.

No major injuries reported.

Campus: 4.88 in the 40-yard dash … 1.67 10-yard dash … 2.78 20-yard dash … 4.56 20-yard shuttle … 7.20 three-cone drill … 30-inch vertical jump … 9'1" broad jump … Bench pressed 225 pounds 18 times … 32-inch arm length … 10-inch hands.

Attended Burges (El Paso, Tex.) High School, where his younger brother, Stephen (tight end), both played on a team where his father, John, served as an assistant coach … The multi-sports star excelled in football, basketball, baseball and track … The first-team All-District I Class-AAAA and All-City selection was named Offensive MVP by the El Paso Times as a senior on the gridiron … That season, he passed for 2,172 yards and 15 touchdowns … Capped off his prep career as the starting quarterback in the 2006 All-State Game for the city of El Paso … In basketball, Skelton garnered All-City, All-District and All-Region accolades … Earned All-District honors in baseball four times, playing a different position each year … Named to the All-City baseball team in 2006.

Business Administration major … Younger brother, Stephen, was the starting tight end as a junior at Fordham in 2009 … Son of Anna and John Skelton … Father is an assistant football coach at Burges High … Born 3/17/88 … Resides in El Paso, Texas.