It’s hard to decide what’s better about Stanford Quarterback Andrew Luck as a NFL prospect, possibly the #1 NFL Draft prospect,- his strong arm, excellent read-and-recognitions, quickness and mobility, poise and intelligence on the field or his excellent standing off of it.
In preparation for his match-up with Luck and his Stanford teammates this week, Notre Dame Coach Brian Kelly discussed what impresses him most about the redshirt quarterback.
“He was hitting the wide field, go route, intermediate, and the thing that really got my attention is his ability to run. I think he had a 50 something yard run for a touchdown. So his ability, his escapability, I didn’t know what it was. I now know what it is. The guy is extremely athletic, as well, and he can run. So he brings a big dimension to the table and not just throwing the football,” Kelly said.
By Paul M. Banks
And Luck is also an exceptional student (high school co-valedictorian), leader in the community and icon of the program at an elite institution. Given how Draconian NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell is in applying his character policy, being a stand-up guy today matters more than ever on NFL Draft day.
And Luck is as humble and anti-celebrity as it gets. He just goes about his business solving structural engineering equations AND leading an offense that put 68 points up on their opponent in week three. He’s Will Hunting in the classroom and John Elway at the stadium.
I’m guessing the Buffalo Bills (the NFL’s J.V. team, and therefore likely to obtain the 2011 #1 overall pick) are probably hoping he resembles Elway, the most famed passer in Stanford history and not another more recent ex-Cardinal QB. I’m speaking about Trent Edwards, their current signal caller.
To say he’s not exactly NFL starting QB material is like saying that Sarah Palin wasn’t exactly Vice President material: a gross understatement of individual under-qualification.
Luck’s mobility will serve him well, but perhaps his best pro quality is his command of the offense he plays in. Their pro-style set is much more conducive to developing NFL QBs than the spread-option which dominates the college football landscape these days.
Brian Kelly talked about scouting the Cardinal offense.
“When I watch them play, they’re physical, they’re multiple on offense. You can see the quarterback is kind of at the helm there in terms of calling plays. He’s always probing and looking for opportunities. That’s kind of how I see them, how they play,” he said.
That experience calling plays will serve Luck well in adjusting to the next level. And help him quickly develop into the leader his new team will desperately need.
Written by Paul M. Banks, President and CEO of The Sports Bank.net , a Midwest focused webzine. He is also a regular contributor to Chicago Now, the Chicago Tribune’s blog network, Walter Football.com, the Washington Times Communities, Yardbarker Network, and Fox Sports.com
You can follow him on Twitter @thesportsbank and @bigtenguru