54. Brett Hundley, QB, UCLABio: A five-star recruit out of Chandler High in Arizona, Hundley redshirted in Rick Neuheisel's final season with the Bruins and started to show what he could do in 2012, Jim Mora's first season as head coach. Hundley completed 66.5% of his passes for 3,740 yards and 29 touchdowns, and he's never really let up from there. In his UCLA career, Hundley completed 837 of 1,239 passes (66.7%) for 75 touchdowns and 25 picks. Add in his 1,747 yards and 30 touchdowns on 479 rushing attempts, and you have a legitimate dual-threat quarterback with many traits that could eventually lead to NFL success. The mistake would be in assuming that Hundley can be a legit NFL starter right away.
Strengths: Well-built player at 6'3" and 226 pounds, with all the base attributes you'd want in a mobile quarterback. Has legitimate breakaway speed when on the run. Operates very well out of play-action, and is refining an understanding of the effect his mobility has on opposing defenses. Has the velocity to make any throw without too much effort. When in the pocket to throw, has no issue with delivering the ball and taking a hit. Real ability to succeed under center and in the pocket, though it hasn't been shown much—he took seven snaps under center total in 2014. Mentally tough and a hard worker. Will need serious development in some areas for NFL success, but is worth the time and effort.
Weaknesses: Played in a shotgun offense, and while that isn't a liability in the NFL anymore, Hundley's familiarity with a relatively simple play-calling system will be. Tends to lock on to his first receiver too often, will telegraph his reads, and will struggle further with turnovers in the NFL, when coverage windows are smaller. Drops from passing to running under pressure too often, and needs to default to keeping his eyes on his targets when on the run. Slightly hitchy delivery that leads to inconsistencies in ball placement. Needs to develop as a pure pocket passer. Takes too many sacks and needs to speed up his internal clock. Not an anticipation thrower—needs open pockets to consistently succeed. Runs into trouble when trying to read more complex coverages.
Conclusion: There's a difference between quarterbacks who can transition from "college offenses" to the pros in a hurry, and those who will need time to adapt. The common denominators among those quarterbacks who succeed are functional pocket awareness, an understanding of the system, and the ability to improvise as a passer instead of as a pure runner. Hundley has the potential to become one of those quarterbacks, but he's probably in for a rude awakening if he's thrown onto the field too soon with too much expected of him.
Pro Comparison: Colin Kaepernick,
49ers (Round 2, 2011)