Russell Wilson, Scouting Report, QB, Wisconsin

This is our Russell Wilson scouting report, which will continue to evolve from now up until the draft so be sure to check back regularly. For all of our scouting reports click here

Measurables

Listed at 5’11, 31 inch arm length, 204 pounds, 10 1/4 inch hands

4.55 forty yard dash, 34 inch vertical jump, 118 broad jump, 6.97 3 cone drill, 4.09 20 yard shuttle

Stats: (CFBstats.com)

2010:

2011:

NFLmocks preseason bio

Wilson unfortunately doesn’t have ideal size for an NFL quarterback, but fortunately for him, it might not wind up mattering. Wilson isn’t quite a clone of Seneca Wallace, but they are pretty similar players and Wallace made it in the NFL for a while. There will be a team that finds a spot for this guy, who is one of the more veteran players in college football. After three years at North Carolina State, Wilson took his show on the road to Wisconsin after being drafted to Major League Baseball by the Colorado Rockies. Graduated in three years from NC State, very smart guy who has been one of the biggest playmakers in the ACC up to this past year. Since coming to Wisconsin, he’s played nothing but Heisman caliber football, throwing for 1,136 yards, 11 touchdowns, and only one interception in four games as the Badgers’ starting quarterback. Dual threat quarterback who has a strong arm and can make all the needed throws. Has struggled with accuracy in his career but his decision making has improved considerably with the Badgers. The fact that he earned the starting job and has such great chemistry with his teammates already is a real testament to his work ethic and leadership ability. It will be interesting to see what he plays at the next level, but he undoubtedly has a future in the NFL or MLB.

Pros–

Great athlete…vastly improved accuracy… can make every throw…makes good decisions…great leadership qualities, ability to make plays with his legs… not just a running quarterback…ability to avoid pressure and keep eyes downfield…smart player…versatile athlete (drafted to MLB), football in his family (father was on Chargers preseason squad)…produced big time at NC State with poor surrounding cast (37 total touchdowns 27 INT)

 Cons–Shorter than prototypical quarterback…poor accuracy until senior year (58 percent in 2009,. and only 6. 76 yards per attempt), not coincidentally his offensive line is much better his senior year….plays with elite level OL and doesn’t get a ton of pressure in his face..will have to answers questions in interview about how serious he is about football (because MLB is also a possibility)…average pocket poise
Sayre’s Player comparison–Drew Brees

Jesse’s Player comparison-Doug Flutie- (I think he’s maybe two inches shorter than Brees and much more mobile. I also think Brees has a weird release point which makes him “taller” than Wilson. I think Wilson plays like Doug Flutie. Ironically Wilson’s career could be defined by a hail mary going against him instead of for him like Doug Flutie

Comparison I’ve seen throw out there I kind of like: Seneca Wallace

Projected round: Late third to early fifth

Thoughts

I think there are four knocks that can be made against Russell Wilson. First is the size, which is not a be all end all, but hurts his stock for sure. Second is the fact that with North Carolina State and Wisconsin, Wilson is two different players. With North Carolina State he forces a lot more throws into coverage, and misses more open throws (completion percentage nearly 20 percent lower). Why is this? The easy answer is surrounding talent. That’s something teams will have to look at before drafting Wilson. Number three while I don’t think he’s a running quarterback, he’s a quarterback that can run-I question his pocket poise a bit. You can see that when he’s playing against Michigan State…when junk gets around his feet or he has to remain in the pocket with pressure, I don’t love what I see. And number four Wilson has a legitimate shot at playing in the Major Leagues and because of that he will have to answer questions about his passion for football in interviews. If he gets buried on the depth chart for a couple of years will he just try his luck at baseball? That could hurt his draft stock. If a team is going to spend a draft pick on him, especially an early one he’ll have to prove football is his only option.

Other than that he has a lot of the things you’re looking for in a quarterback. He’s a leader on the field, he performs well in crunch time, he has a good arm, is a good athlete and has been very productive even at North Carolina State where the surrounding talent was average at best. Wilson can make all the throws provided he has the throwing lane. and he bounces back after mistakes, which is something you love to see-it shows a fighter’s mentality. he really is a very quality football player who will have a shot at the next level to develop into a starter-he’s better than Troy Smith, who was also considered too short (6th round draft pick) to play and has had some success as a football player.

Video

more and better videos as they become available (hopefully)