Thin senior QB class gives juniors an opening

After Matt Leinart, there aren't many top senior QB prospects, which could spur some top juniors to declare, Todd McShay writes.

Updated: October 3, 2005, 12:46 PM ET
By Todd McShay | Scouts Inc.
There is a huge drop-off in senior class talent at the quarterback position after top prospect Matt Leinart (USC). However, the play of several underclassmen could make for an intriguing battle in the NFL draft's most coveted position.

Several seniors -- Clemson's Charlie Whitehurst, Vanderbilt's Jay Cutler, Texas A&M's Reggie McNeal, UAB's Darrell Hackney and Oregon's Kellen Clemens -- also will be vying for spots on the first day of the draft, but it will be surprising if any senior quarterback, outside of Leinart, comes off the board in the first round.

With that in mind, a few junior quarterback prospects could face tough decisions regarding their futures at the end of this college football season, among them Texas' Vince Young, Bowling Green's Omar Jacobs, Notre Dame's Brady Quinn and Michigan State's Drew Stanton.


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Todd McShay

Scouts Inc.
  • ESPN College Football and NFL Draft Analyst
  • Joined ESPN in 2006
  • Played quarterback in high school and was a backup QB for the University of Richmond.

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