2015 NFL Draft Prospect Watch: Utah St. QB Chuckie Keeton
Sep 27, 2013; San Jose, CA, USA; Utah State Aggies quarterback Chuckie Keeton (16) points to his teammates as he elects to run against the San Jose State Spartans during the first quarter at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
It’s going to be a ton of fun watching Chuckie Keeton in 2014. This is a quarterback with a slighter, 6’2″ 200 pound build (listed) and is coming off of a major knee injury a year ago. But this kid’s numbers over a five game and one quarter period are really impressive. He completed 69 percent of his passes with 18 touchdowns and only two interceptions, and also added two rushing touchdowns.
He’s a dual-threat player who has a strong arm and a high, compact release. He’s obviously not a 6’5″ 230 pound prototype like Peyton Manning but this kid can ball, but I see a really well-rounded game overall when watching him.
He puts touch on passes when he needs to, and can drop the ball in a bread basket. He puts zip on throws when he needs to, and he can really fire it into a small window with his arm strength. Keeton makes quick decisions and has the ability to run an up-tempo, spread out offense with the constant threat of running with the ball.
I don’t know if he’s quite on this level as a prospect coming out, but I see a bit of Robert Griffin III to his game. His style of play, the way he’s able to combine touch and power behind his throws…This is a really exciting young QB prospect. I can’t wait to see him in 2014 coming off of that knee injury.
This is a guy who still has Heisman hopes, and I don’t think they are unrealistic. I also don’t think that the first round is out of the question if his trajectory continues the way it has been.
Timothy R. Olsen wrote a really nice piece on Keeton and some other USU players on Wednesday that is worth checking out in tracking his development and his progression since injury.
Check out all of Keeton’s prospect videos HERE, from the great folks at Draft Breakdown.