Why the 2021 NFL Draft Quarterback Class is Already One of The Best of All Time
The Upcoming NFL Quarterback Draft Class is Absolutely Loaded.
The 2021 quarterback prospect class will surely go down as one of the most talented position groups in NFL Draft history. The class features numerous elite quarterback prospects starting with Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence, who is the current Heisman Trophy favorite in college football this season. Lawrence has led Clemson to back to back National Championship game appearances (winning one) in his first two seasons on campus. Yes Lawrence is a precise passer, but what many overlook is his ability to scramble and run for yards as well. ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay recently stated that Lawrence was the best quarterback prospect to come out of college since former Colts and Stanford QB Andrew Luck; high praise to say the least.
Ranked closely behind Trevor Lawrence is Ohio State QB Justin Fields. After transferring from Georgia following his freshman season, Fields tore it up at Ohio State last season in his first year as a starting quarterback. Fields led his school to the 2020 College Football Playoff semifinals, where they lost a heartbreaker to Lawrence and Clemson. Fields has a very strong arm and uses his elite scrambling ability to consistently make big plays for the Buckeyes. Whoever drafts Justin Fields will get a superstar playmaker and an excellent leader more than capable of letting his play do the talking to earn the respect of the locker room.
Division II powerhouse North Dakota State’s Trey Lance and Florida Gators signal caller Kyle Trask round out the top four elite quarterback prospects in this class. Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, Lance and North Dakota State only played one game in 2020 because Division II football postponed all their fall sports. In their lone game, Lance showed off his athleticism and dual threat ability, scoring multiple touchdowns on the ground and leading his team to a comeback victory over Central Arkansas. Some draft evaluators even have Lance ranked higher than Ohio State’s Justin Fields; a true compliment to his supreme talent and vast potential.
Gators QB Kyle Trask has started his junior season on fire, throwing 14 touchdown passes and only one interception so far. Trask’s draft stock has soared because Florida’s offense has been on an absolute tear in 2020, scoring at least 38 points in all three games this season. It’s safe to say Trask is the best quarterback to play at Florida since former Heisman Trophy winner and 2x national champion Tim Tebow. Since Trask will likely be the fourth quarterback selected in the 2021 NFL Draft, whoever selects him will get an absolute steal.
Just outside of the top 4 elite quarterback prospects is former Wake Forest signal caller Jamie Newman, who originally transferred to Georgia this past summer before opting out of the season at the last minute due to COVID-19 concerns. Newman had enormously high expectations at Georgia after coming off of an impressive 2019 season at Wake Forest where he threw for 2,868 yards and 24 touchdowns.
Newman also showed off his dual threat ability by rushing for 574 yards and six touchdowns. By opting out of the 2020 college football season, Jamie Newman became arguably the most intriguing and unpredictable QB prospect in this draft. He is expected to be selected anywhere between the second and fourth round.
Other talented quarterbacks who are eligible for the 2021 NFL Draft include Minnesota’s Tanner Morgan, Iowa State’s Brock Purdy, Texas A&M’s Kellen Mond, Miami’s D’eriq King, Texas’s Sam Ehlinger, Alabama’s Mack Jones and Notre Dame’s Ian Book. Last season, Tanner Morgan helped lead Minnesota to their most successful season since 1962 by winning 11 games and finishing the season ranked number 10.
Kellen Mond and Texas A&M defeated Kyle Trask and the Florida Gators in a shootout by a score of 41-38. Mond played very well and certainly improved his draft stock in that game. D’Eriq King has already been the best quarterback Miami’s had in years and Mack Jones is currently shining with Nick Saban at Alabama as they compete for another national championship.
The talent of the 2021 NFL Draft class quarterback prospects cannot be denied. There may very well be five or six guys who end up becoming very successful starting quarterbacks from this class. Many who cover the NFL regard the 1983 Elway-Marino quarterback draft class as the best of all time; but in 15 to 20 years from now, we all may very well be saying the exact same thing about this 2021 quarterback class.
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