Jerod Evans, QB, Virginia Tech: 2017 NFL Draft Scouting Report
An early-entrant in the 2017 NFL Draft, Jerod Evans will look to transition from a one-year wonder at Virginia Tech into a future starter in the NFL…
Player Summary
Jerod Evans, a 2016 four-star recruit, started all 14 career games for Virginia Tech. He began his collegiate career at the Air Force Academy, but a torn ACL cost him his first season. He then transferred to Trinity Valley Community College where he spent two seasons and threw for 4,165 yards, 52 touchdowns and just five interceptions in 18 games. His play earned the attention of numerous power five schools after the 2015 season, and he eventually chose the Hokies.
After winning the starting job, Evans completed 63.5 percent of his passes for 3,552 yards, 29 touchdowns and eight interceptions in 2016. He also added 846 yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground on his way to a 10-4 record. Evans declared for the 2017 NFL Draft with one season of eligibility remaining and was one of 15 quarterbacks invited to the Scouting Combine. He possesses very good size on a big-bodied frame with good athletic ability.
Measureables
Height: 6’2” 3/4
Weight: 232 lbs.
Arm Length: 33-1/8”
Hand Size: 9-3/8”
Combine Numbers
40-Yard Dash: 4.80 seconds
Vertical Jump: 26.5”
Broad Jump: 9’4”
Short Shuttle: 4.41 seconds
Games Watched
2016: Tennessee, Boston College, East Carolina, North Carolina, Syracuse, Miami, Pittsburgh, Duke, Georgia Tech, Notre Dame, Virginia, Clemson, Arkansas
Strengths
Jerod Evans displays good athletic ability as he avoids the initial rush and extends the play. He demonstrates very good situational awareness, understanding when he needs to take a chance downfield and when he should utilize his check-down option. This is especially evident on third down, as Evans converted 51.5 percent of his third-down passes into first downs; second best among quarterbacks invited to the Scouting Combine behind only Patrick Mahomes II.
Evans possesses a quick release and shows off impressive arm strength with accurate throws to the opposite hash. Of the 390 passes Evans threw against FBS competition in his career, this was one of the best. It occurred in a critical moment as well, with the Hokies trying to stage a comeback in the ACC title game against Clemson. Arm strength isn’t always about how far a quarterback can throw the ball, it’s even more so about how quickly and how accurately a QB can get the ball to his wide receiver from the opposite side of the field. On this play, Evans stays in the pocket and fires the ball into the end zone from about the 33-yard line. The receiver does his part by beating his man in coverage while Evans connects on the pass just before the safety arrives.
Evans displays solid mental toughness in the red zone as he makes good decisions with the ball and won’t force passes into tight coverage. In 2016 he threw 20 touchdowns compared to just one interception from inside the opponent’s 20-yard line. When he does make a mistake, Evans bounces back quickly. He averaged 2.33 points per drive following an interception or fumble, slightly above the Combine average of 2.26.
Evans is a true dual-threat quarterback who is a very good runner. After initial contact, he continues to drive his legs and push the pile forward. He’s very difficult to bring down as he possesses very good play strength. While he has the size of a pocket-passer, he also shows off highlight-reel elusiveness at times. The following play against East Carolina is just one example of how dangerous he can be when he takes off.
Weaknesses
Jerod Evans does not analyze the entire field post-snap, a result of the offense he played in. This will be the biggest change for Evans at the next level as he’ll have to go through multiple progressions and learn to read complex defensive coverages. This was an issue for Evans with the Hokies as he knew where he was going with the football before the ball was even snapped. As a result of adequate mental processing skills, Evans failed to properly read the defense and made poor decisions with the football.
One example of this can be seen in the play below against Pittsburgh. The right outside linebacker (number 58) drops into coverage and plays an underneath zone. Evans fails to see this and delivers a pass intended for his initial read. The linebacker reads the play the entire way and comes away with an easy interception.
When facing pressure Evans displays marginal poise. He drops his eyes and immediately looks to take off upfield rather than continuing to look for an open receiver. On plays designed to roll the quarterback out of the pocket, his accuracy is only adequate. On the following play, Evans rolls to his right and sees a wide open receiver downfield. An accurate pass would result in a touchdown, however the pass is well underthrown and gives the cornerback enough time to recover and breakup the pass.
Although his completion rate from the pocket is very good, his ball placement needs work. Too many of the balls thrown by Evans end up in the receiver’s chest rather than out in front. This prevents the receivers from maintaining full speed and maximizing yards after the catch.
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When facing pressure or taking off as a runner, Evans possesses poor ball control. In 14 games with the Hokies, he fumbled 10 times, losing seven.
Overall
Overall, Jerod Evans is a developmental prospect who wins with competitive toughness and play strength. He’s not a quarterback who possesses the mental processing or poise to start anytime soon. Although this quarterback class may not feature a sure-fire future all-pro, there are multiple developmental projects that will intrigue teams. Evans, Patrick Mahomes II and Brad Kaaya all fall into that category and have the physical skill sets to succeed at the next level.
Evans is expected to be a day three pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. He should begin his career as a third-string quarterback and would benefit from at least two to three years on the sideline. It will be a while before he contributes, but a patient coaching staff and continued development should result in Evans sitting atop an NFL depth chart down the road.