Chuckie Keeton, QB Utah St: 2016 NFL Scouting Report

After the 2012 season, it was widely believed that Chuckie Keeton would be a Heisman contender in 2013. He passed for 3,373 yards and 27 touchdowns, with just 9 interceptions. He added 619 yards rushing and 8 rushing touchdowns, giving him the appearance of the ultimate dual-threat QB. However, injury struck hard as Keeton tore both his ACL & MCL midway through the 2013 season, forcing him to miss all but seven games. In 2014, he reaggravated a knee injury that forced him out of all but three games. As 2015 started, there was a lot of hope that Keeton could remain on the field and show just how dynamic of an athlete he was. However, his surgically repaired knee acted up again and forced him to miss half the season. Even when he was playing, he didn’t appear to have the same explosiveness and quick feet he did in 2012. With the upcoming draft, he will have to have a tremendous off-season if he is going to convince scouts and coaches he can stay on the field in the NFL.

Measurables

Height: 6’2″

Weight: 210 lbs

Year: Senior

Strengths

As we’ve mentioned before, Keeton has proven to be a dynamite athlete capable of beating you wit his arm or his legs. While not comparable to Cam Newton or RG3, Keeton seems to relate more to Alex Smith of the Kansas City Chiefs. A player who can thrive as a runner and is at his best when making short to intermediate throws. He’s a stronger player than his frame would suggest, often capable of breaking tackles and demonstrating the agility to extend plays. He sports long limbs that also allow him to keep linebackers and cornerbacks at a distance.

Below are the highlights from his 2013 matchup against the Utah Utes. If you want to see the potential Keeton has, and what put him on the national radar, just watch the clip. In this game, Keeton went 31 of 40 for 314 yards and 2 touchdowns. He added 85 yards rushing and one rushing touchdown. His performance was phenomenal and demonstrated the dual-threat ability his potential carries.

Weaknesses

The injury label is going to be the hardest thing for Keeton to shake, as he has only played in 17 games over the last three seasons. What makes this worse is that the majority of his injuries have been in his knee, which can be a difficult thing to come back from. Keeton also lacks the downfield accuracy and natural arm strength that other quarterbacks in this class seem to demonstrate. While he is a dynamite athlete, he tends to be a bit of sporadic runner, at times not showing elite body control that we’ve seen from other dual-threat quarterbacks.

Final Thoughts

Just purely going off his 2012 tape, Chuckie Keeton was a potential Day 2 pick. But as good as he’s been, his future will almost totally rely on the health and strength of his knee. He’s demonstrated the ability to be a dangerous quarterback, but his medical checks will be crucial in his evaluations and unless he can show those injuries are behind him, he may not be drafted. Unfortunately, despite the passion and heart Keeton has shown for the game, it all comes to his prior injuries.

Round Projection: 7th Round – Undrafted Free Agent